


£ 



.„.j.zi 



Author . 



Title 



Imprint. 



18— «7a7a-2 o»o 



/\N ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY MAGAZINE-EVERY COPY A SOUVENIR 



"GRIP'S" VALLEY GAZETTE 

Vol. 2— No. 4 $1.00 a Year 

ALBANY, N. Y.. NOVEMBER, 1894 

[Entered in the Albany Post Office as second-class mail matter] 

p^,. - :.. V/e WRI- 



THE State Gazette 

Social, Personal and Historical 
Information. 

TRADE AND NEWS. 
Intelligence. 




i5T0RicnL • mwm 






Price, 25 Cents 



1 



OF 



MIDDLEBURGH 

N. Y. 



• • 




i^;.: 




lO .'asi''kdMt: 



^Jtel.S^A^feJEMt.* 







"Grip."] VIEW OF MtDDLEBURGH FROM XlT. KAXJEARAGORE. 



•CRIPS" ADVERTISINC, DEPARTMENT. 







y^'^^^ 



^^>^ 



PORTRAIT rHOTOGRAPHFR 



Studio 
15 and 17 North Pearl Street, 



ALIiANY. N. Y 






- if* ■ 




Ho'i 1 I. o Champlain 

Or) till. Dil.iw ;ir>.- i Hudson Railroad 

The Superb Summer Resort of the North 



Vast nnti iimKnihcenf virws ttl l.ikcs tini! inountainft. KiKhin^ and huntinK. KiJinK and rambiinK- Kxquihitr 
•etnerv. Kiiniantti: hislorui.l loc.ihtits. .\ luttv and airv situation. Panoramic views of Adirondack and tircen 
lloimtain*. The natural transfer point between ''IJ. & H." trains and Lake Chaniplam Steamers Station and Stcani- 

bcKit pier in the erounds. 

O. D. SEAVEY. Mnnasrer. 

I' f> A'Idrcss, Hot.-! <''■: ' •— <■<■ — ■-•■■-'"■ V V 

Delaware & Hudson R. R. 

The bhorlfsl, c^ukkt-sl ;ind Best l.iiif Bt-twccii 

NENA/ YORK^ii^MONTREAL 

"It may be questioned whether there is a railway journey in the world which Rives in one day a %-ariety and splen- 
dor of landscape to equal that which is enjoyed by the traveler takini; the muriiini,' express by this line between Mon- 
treal and New York.' - Stoftisft fin<teii\ 

.Send 6 cents postBRo for line Desoriptive Guide to J. W. BURDICK, IV- P. Adft.. Albany, N. Y 

The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad 




ii I !■; Ml- 1 1! 



ill SI BBS 



Chicago Limiteds 

Ka-<lc:>l Lung lii^Uiiicc Iraiiis iti lliu World 




THE IDEAL PATHWAY TO THE 

Adirondack Mountains 

And all >uminer and Lake Kesnrt.s. 

Copyrighted, t%q\, by A. P. Yate«. 

Througli Palace Buffet, Sleeping, Dining and Parlor Cars between New York, Albany, Chicago and 

all points west. 



"Mow much a dunce thM hath been sent to mam. 
Excels a dunce thai hath been kept at home.**— C^m/ 



OeORCE H. DANIELS, _ • ■,'. 

Ocn'l I'ass'iiccr Agt., Grand Cent. StatloD.'N. Y. 



FRANK J. WOLFE, 

.\Kt., AllNiny, 



I 



GRIP'S" RELIABLE GUIDE FOR TRAVELERS. 



{r^-RESPONSIBLE TICKET AGENTS. 



J. F. Spohn, 

RAILROAD 

TICKET BROKER, 

.MIIJiAGKS 
Bought and Sold. 

Lock Box 44, 

Bainbridge, N Y. 

Reduced Rates 

<.)n all connecting lines. 

Correspondence 

Solicited. 



-THE BEST LIVERY STABLES...^ 




I. H. PRIDE, 

TICKET BKOKER 

SID.XEV, N. V. 



M 



ILEAGE BOOKS on the D. & H. and Con- 

nuctiiig Kiiiliuads. .S. E. CkuXKHITE, First 
Xatitmal i-iank. Cooperstown. X. V. 



"THE BEST HOTELS. ...^^ 



KEELER'S HOTEL and RESTAURANT, 
P.roadwav and Maiden Lane, .\lbanv, X. V. 



\VM H. KKELER, Prop. 



European plan. 



HOTEL PHELPS, 

AFTON, N. Y. 

Wm. Phelps. Proprietor I.IVERY. 



H 



OTEL ALTAiMONT, Ai.tamont, N Y. 

Modern improvements; steam heat; liverv and 
headquarters tor all stages. J. O. STITT Prop. 



A^OMMERCIAL HOTEL (formerly Union), 
I ALTAMONT, X. V. Under new inanagement. 

^"^ Livery. M. GRIGGS, Prop. 



PARK HOTEL, 



A. L. BEVIER, 



BAINBRIUGE, N. Y. 
- - - - Proprietor. 



C[flIRllLt]OT[L,"t'^"-— - 

Meam heat in every room. 

WESSELL HOUSE, Carlisle, N. Y. 
S. R. WESSELL. Proprietor. 
Caters to driving parties. 







lOTEL AUGUSTAN. ^k'^^-^^^J^t ^p.o'p: 



■ Proprietors. 



ALTAMONT LIVERY 
DAYTON H. WHIPPLE. I , 
FRED. V. WHIPPLE, i ' 

Inquire at either hotel. Orders rec eived by telephone. 

Central Bridge Livery, 

A. C.HUTT..N, - Proprietor. 

Open all hours. 
Dealer in WAGON'S, SLEIGHS, Eli; 



L 



AWYER'S LIVKRY. 



Office; Parrott House and at Lawver's stables. 

Main St., Schoharie, N. Y. 
W. S. Lawyer. Prop. 

Hotel Schoharie Livery 

J. SCHWOKM. Prop. SCHOHARIE, X'. Y. 

Also Dealer in Agricultural Implements. 



THE BEST HOTELS. 



THE AUSTIN HOUSE, 
CENTRAL BRIDGE, N. Y. 

Barber shop, livery, stabling and sheds connected. 
Moderate charges to all. Henr\' Austin, Prop. 

pARK HOUSE, Central Bridge, N. Y. 

•^ Good accommodations. Terms, $i.oo per day. 
Liverv attached. R. BARTOX. Proprietor. 

qpHE "WINNE HOUSE, Cherry Valley, New York. 
■*■ Conducted tirst-class stvle. Convenient to the trains. 
li.ARRETT DUPP, Proprietor. 

COMMERCIAL HOTEL, 

Cobleskill, N. Y. A. C. Lewis, Proprietor, 

Liverv attacheil. .Modern improvements. Electric Bells. 

OOKSBURGH HOUSE, Cooksburgh, N. Y. 

H P I'fssri L Prop 
On the AI 1 1 d Catsk 11 r id 




WINDSOR HOTEL, Oneonta, N. Y. Elevator. 
Steam Heat. Xew Furnishings. J. R. MILLARD, 
12 years experience. O. G. RICHMOND, 26 vears experi- 
ence. 

CARR'S HOTEL, 

Cooperstown, N. Y. 

L. A. Carr. Prop. Liverv attached. 



TSJEW CENTRAL HOTEL. Cooperstown, N. Y. 
■^^ W. M. POTTER, Proprietor. 

l^lectric lights Steam heat. 

TWrACOMBER'S HOTEL. Delanson, N. Y. 

•*■"•*' Meals ready on arrival of trains. 

Livery attached. Howland Macomber, Prop. 

CENTRAL HOUSE, 

East Worcester, N. Y. 
Xew Building and Furniture R. H. Pitcher, Prop. 

STARIN HOUSE, Fultonville, N. Y. ~ 

Chas. Dopf, Proprietor. 
Xewlv furnished. First-class, "tj'ood bar. Livery. 

OTEL GRANT, port plain, n. y. 

steam heat. Gas and electric bells. Stables connected. 
HENRY A. OAKES. Prop. "' 

CUROPEAN HOTEL GAFE, 

L" Fort Plain, N. Y. 

WM. GREELEY, Prop. Meals at all hours 



H 



■GKII'S KKI.IAHLH CLIUE FUK TKAVtLERS. 



rP^THE BEST HOTELS. _^: 

/-^ILBOA HOUSE, Oilboa. N. Y W. H. BECK- 

VJ KK, Proprietor, l-ivery attachnl 

'pUTTLE HOUSE. Oilboa, N. Y. 



I. 



CIIAS I, TllTl.E.'Pr.'prif 



w 



HITE HOUSE. MiddlebUFKh. N. Y. Livery. 
I. C. White. Proprietress 



mmm wmi mwimm, 1 1 




A. J. I'KF.EMYF.K. rr..;i >tlM"lK SlIUKK.Cl.r 

Sta^e Hous« and Livery attached. 

AFE MIDDLEBUROH. N. Y. R. D. OOR- 

l"'N, !•:■■; 1.; , :■■:...:.! ;i;a,s I..,-. L,:-. ;.,.s !.,r 



M 



IDDLEBURGH, N. Y BAKER S HOTEL 

..|iI..iMti- the di-p"l. I.ivi-rv altiiciifd. .\1. W 
H.\Ki;k. Pr..priet..r. 



BLENHEIM HOUSE. North Blenheim: N. Y 
.M I W'Kli.ll c. I'r.pprieti.r. Proprietor .MiddU-burjth 

.ilul I .lUi.'.i st.ik:*-- l;(ic 



ty THE BEST HOTELS. ^ } 

CENTRAL HOTEL Spnnirfield Centre N. Y 
11.:.. : -: I I's. .;.. I..ilie Livery attached, .\ceommo' 
l.i'.:. ns ; r w ntrr and summer partiel. CLARK 
I'l.l.SWi iKTH. IT ;i '-»-nivi>. 

/-'ENTRAL HOTEL, Worcester. N Y. 

^^ .•TV lelv^ra;!, Ki •. Tll^ all heati- J llarber 
'•■■'' '■' ' • ■- ■■".■t IKK .sHAt'EK. l'ropriel..r. 

HE WORCESTER HOUSE, Worcester, N. Y. 

Ilr^t-tlass iPj.era House attached. C. I,. B.\LD- 
^\ IN'. Prop. 



T 



UNADILLA HOUSE, Unadilla, N Y. 
i 'c< \ ::•. :•■ .,r, : ! r^ M. a! I trams 



U 



NADILLA, N. Y 

[jiovk trom the depot 
HI.SHiiP. Prop. 



HOTEL BISHOP, one 

I'lrst-ilass Hotel Cll.^s 




"BESSIE B" and "PRIDE" 

Champion Ekk Ikying .Strain of the World. 

Bred bv W E. BASSLER, - - - MiDDLEBURCH. X. 

Send for informalioH. 



H 



OTEL CHAPMAN. North Blenheim. N. Y. 

<^ iiicrt-iai r.iles. I>ailv staKe t'l -Muldieburnh. 

Frank Ciiai'Man, Proprietor. 



BARHDYT HOUSE, Schenectady, N. Y. H. 
M.\NSI Ii:i.|). Proprietor W. \. Katkn, ClerV. 

'T->HE PARROTT HOUSE. Schoharie. N.Y. P.O. 
*• \VlNri:R. IT. .prut. T Aiciuii;.! ',.,l...ijs .rst. :.,s, 

AFE AND RESTAURANT, SCHOHARIE, N. 

Y. I 'itiin^r rooms tor parties. Mie best service at 
ihr li.ir. P. \V1)I1IKX)CK. 



H 



OTEL SCHOHARIE. SCHOHARIE, N. Y. 

lull- HH I .V <■( i.i KN. Proi'nr'ors Nt-wly n-con- 

•■tr'.: 'f 1. ::i\».'v lurn >lw.I. lu-wlv rt- arranRcd. 



NEWMAN HOUSE. SEWARD, N. Y. This hold 
IS now under new iiianiijfcmcnt nn«l will be con- 
ducted in tirst-clns-s niannor; electric call bells; 
KofMl livery and bar. JAS, NKWMAN'. Prop. 

HARON SPRINGS HOTEL FETHERS ; a:: 

vr.ir .i:.iu!,.;. U::-. ;.. .ili tr.ciw First-v. l.iss .u. . ■m 
niiKiati-uis ttif coiitmiTcinl itnil Mimnu-r iratic li 
1.. KKTMKKS. I'n.pnelor. 

SHARON SPRINGS, N.Y. MANSION HOUSE. 
_( \V ^MAkl". Prop t>|H.-n .ill {lu- vi-.ir Ww-. t.. all 
ir.im-. wtiitiT anl Miiiiiiu-r 

OP EXCHANGE HOTEL, Sharon Springs, 

St. huluifu- i_ <■ . N. V. Opposite depot. 1-ivery, 
Open all the year C M. Van Dkuskn. I'rop. 

Q»OUTH WORCESTER HOTEL, South Wor- 




J. O Van UCKCM, Proprietor. 



PROF. CAHEN-LEON. the Celebrated French 
Occuliat Optician, born of French parents in Paris. 
France, in i,s47, where he studied and practiced until the 
war K>i I07Q. Thence he came to America, where he has 
acquired II tirst-closs practice in curing the worst neuralgic 
heatlaches without dru^^ or injury and in fittinR the most 
d;tlu lilt eyes with Classen for all defecL"i of virion. He 
\v.trrantji all his work in writinic for five year* ; free con- 
sultation and cxaminati(>n at v^6 Broadway, Albany, 
N. v., Albany News buildintc. near Maiden I,^ne. He it 
well known for the last twenty-two years in the counties 
of Schoharie, Greene, Colombia, OtacRo, Ulster and 
Albany. 



I s c t V e n > r 

CopYRiGHTKP 1S94— Am, Rights Reserved. 

"(grip's" Illustrated Souvenir 

Middleburgh 



HISTORICAL SERIES No. 1. 



and 
Vicinity 



Schoharie Co. 

N. Y. 



"GRIP'S" GAZETTE 

AN ILLUSTRATED 
MONTHLY MAGAZINE 

Subscription, SI a year 

Devoted to Personal, Historical, 
Social, Professional, Mercantile, 
Agricultural and Industrial 
Affairs of the Empire State. 



]%/| lUDLEBURGH is a busy, growing town, 
II located in one of the best and most fertile 
agricultural sections of the state, the Schoharie 
valley. It is surrounded by broad, rich river bot- 
toms and rolling uplands, and tracts of valuable 
timber, settled by a hardy, thrifty class of well-to- 
do, intelligent farmers, largely owners of the acres 
they cultivate. They are people who give their 
children the advantages of higher education. 
The population of the village, about 1,500, com- 
prises, quite largely, people of steady habits and 
good circumstances. The business men are up to 
the times in trade and prices and the styles of 



measure it is a cash trade, one of the leading Mid 
dleburgh firms, as will be noted in a following 
paragraph, doing business entirely on the cash 
basis. 

The Prospects of Middleburgh promise a 
bright future. The town has entered the era of 
progress and quick development which comes to 
every place havmg a go-a-head people and an 
eligible location. It has an excellent, graded 
Union School with the best corps of teachers that 
can be employed. The churches are commodious, 
attractive buildings, surrounded by well kept 
grounds and are supported with that open hand 
which pays to beneficent Providence the just trib- 




"RivERSiDE" — The Scho 

merchandise. The editors, physicians, lawyers, 
clergymen and tutors are thoroughly informed 
and well educated and are among the best known 
in the professions in the county. The trades are 
fully represented by experienced men who are 
often large employers. Devotion to home institu- 
tions, church attendance and marked hospitality 
are characteristics of the people that at once ar- 
rest the attention of the visitor. 

^^DDLEBURGH IS THE TERMINUS 

of the Middleburgh & Schoharie railroad and 
distributes mail and supplies to nearly one-half of 
Schoharie and no small portion of Albany coun- 
ties. It is the centre of a very large agricultural 
section and the trade that comes to the town in 
the course of the year would surprise many much 
larger places. In an unusually considerable 



HARIE Valley — Middleburgh, N. Y. 

ute of a prosperous people. The stores are large 
and roomy, well filled with modern assortments 
and manned by competent and courteous clerks. 
There are four good hotels largely patronized by 
the traveling public. 

THE STREETS ARE BROAD AND SHADY, 

kept in good repair and well provided with walks. 
The columns of three village papers, and of the 
fourth pubHshed in the adjacent village of Schoha- 
rie by a Middleburgh editor, making it practically 
an institution of the town, are newsy and well 
edited and attest to the driving local trade that is 
done in the course of the year. There is 

A GOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 

of which the majority of the business men are act- 
ive members, and they all feel a pride in its effi- 



GRIPS ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



cicncy. Work is now in progress on a gravity 
water supply system with which the town will be 
thoroughly piped, affording water taps on every 
corner, a public fountain and a ready supply of 
water on tap in public and private buildings. Two 
new railroads are to be constructed, and what 
more can be asked for by cajiital seeking invest- 
ment? There are ample building sites and mate- 
rial of all descriptions close ut hand. The express 
and post office facilities are ably directed and the 
town does not lack for the telegraph and local and 
long distance telephone. 

Orandison N. Frisbie, a leading merchant of 
Middleburgh and prominent democrat, was born 
in Roxbury, Delaware county, N . Y., May 24. 
1831. At seventeen years of age he was appren- 
ticed in the har- 
ness trade to 
his brother at 
Fultonhani and 
at twentv years 
of age became 
his partner, af- 
terwards buy- 
ing him out and 
conducting it 
alone In 1854 
he began har- 
ness making in 
.Middleburgh. In 
1868 he bought 
a one-half inter- 
est in the general store of Charles Earles and 
subsequently a half interest with W. G. Louns- 
bury & Co. in the hardware business. He subse- 
quently, with his two sons. Daniel D. and George 
D., as equal partners ttxik the Karle's store and 
on April 1, iSt^, the entire business passed into 
the hands of the sons. Mr. Krisbie went into 
real estate and insurance, which in the space of 
three years has taken the lead. He was one of 
the principal promoters of the Middleburgh and 
Schoharie railroad and much of its success is due 
to his wise management. Since March 25. 1S78. 
he has been its president and general manager. 
He was one of the first and largest local sub- 
scriljers to the stiK.k of the First .National bank, 
and from the time of its organization has lieen its 
vice-president. In 1S58 he married Kate, the 
daughter of Daniel D. Dodge, of Middleburgh, 
who was a prominent merchant and one year a 
member of Assemoly. Their daughters are Mrs. 
Dow Beekman and Miss Emma Frisbie. Mr. 
Frisbie is an elder in the Lutheran church. 




Increased Railroad Facilities are what several 
of the business men are working hard to obtain- 
As aljove stated two projects are materially ad- 
vanced. In both cases the incoriwration paixjrs 
have Iwen tiled with the secretary of state, the 
required percentage on the capital stock paid in 
and the surveys and figures necessary to estalv 
lish the route and grades completed. In both 
instances the panic caused an abrupt but only 
temporary termination of proceedings. 

THK LACKAWANNA WKSTKKN 

connecting the Pennsylvania coal fields with New 
England and New York follows the Delaware 
river and the Schoharie creek with a necessary 
grade nowhere of more than seventy feet. Back 
of this is the powerful Lackawanna company. 
Grading has tieen carried on for a considerable 
distance and two im]>ortant links are in full ojiera- 
tion. This road bv virtue of location and positive 
assurances makes Sliddleburgh a division terminal 



with the shops Ux-ated there. It places the town 
two hours nearer the coal beds and with one-half 
less freights on fuel. 

IHE a>ol'EkSTOW.«i, MIDULEUURGH ANI> CATSKILI. 
MOUNTAIN 

road connects Middleburgh with Catskill, a short 
cut to New York and a saving of one-half present 
distance and one-half transportation rates on all 
merchandise and freight. It will open up an 
heretofore unavailable New York market for local 
pro<luctions and will enable the farmers of the 
Schoharie valley, of which there is no better 
garden country in the state, to develop a new and 
profitable industry — the raising of early vegeta- 
bles for the New York market. The road continuing 
west from .M iddlcburgh connects with Cixjperstown 
and Richfield Springs. It passes through unsur- 
passed scenery presenting summer tourists with 
views that are grand and sublime. A twenty 
mile link is in successful operation. 

The Middleburgh Sc Schoharie Kailroad was 
constructed in 1867-8 under the authority of 
the legislative enactment of May 8, 1867. The 
road is six miles long over level lands with little 
tilling and cutting. It connects Middleburgh and 
Schoharie villages. The road and trains are con- 
tinuous five miles farther north to a junction with 
the D. & H.,but the Schoharie and Junction stretch, 
known as the Schoharie Valley road, is owned 
and operated by private interests which have 
greatly handicapped the Middleburgh company, 
as the latter depends uixin this north bit of road 
for an outlet. At one time the Middleburgh com- 
pany could have purchase<l the Schoharie road 
and Mr. G. N. Frisbie urged them to do it, otTering 
to individually subscribe $5,000. Sincx* then they 
have been unable to buy it. When the D. & H. 
had been built as far as Oneonta and the Scho- 
harie f>eople had determined to tie on to that road 
at the Junction, a few leading spirits at Middle- 
burgh met at Ed. Atchinson"s hotel, and after 
considering the matter carefully determined that 
they could hitch on at Schoharie by raising $100,000, 
the town to take S50.01X) and the balanc-e to come 
from private subscriptions. As a matter of fact 
the total capitalization, fully paid in, was but 
S<)2,o(x>. The town was bonded but compara- 
tive little to raise the full amount of its subscrip- 
tion. The railroad company placetl the bonds 
(7 per cent.) at par. Thev were fully retired, 
principal and interest, by James Borst, railroad 
commissioner, in i-'-^j. Tne men who actively 
promotetl the road and who were chosen the first 
board of directors February 9, 1867, were G. N. 
Frisbie, David Becker. J. M. Scribner, Lyman 
Sanford, Geoge E. Danforth. Jacob Neville, Mar- 
vin Scutt. Wm. H. Engle, Martin O. Coo|>er. Mar- 
tin L. Borst, Eraslus Cook, Daniel D. Dodge, 
Jesse H. Alger. Marcus Bellinger. The first named 
served the first year as railroad commissioner, 
then resigned and entered the b<vard of directors 
where he has since Ix-en. The individual sub- 
scrit)ers to the stock, altogether about seventy- 
five, included many small holders in and alxiut 
Middleburgh. about $i7.oik> in Albany holdings, 
and the balance in New York. The companv ad- 
hered rigidly to the resolution passed by the (x)ard 
of directors September 7, 1867, viz: Not a dollar 
of ill' ■ ' ^ to Ik- incurred in its construction 
and I - . all work to stop when the money 

runs '..■■ stiik has t>een watered, no divi- 
dends have l>een ]>aid and there is money in the 
treiisury. The only salaries paid to officials are 
$20 a nu>nth each to the secretary and treasurer 
who acts as pa^seii^j^er agent, and to the station and 
freight agent at Middleburgh. Other officers and 



•GRIP'S" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



directors serve without compensation. The con- 
tract for the construction of the road complete 
was let to G. N. Norton for $71,000, December 17, 
1S67. On May 8, 1867, three acres of land for the 
terminal buildings were purchased of S. B. Wells. 
The buildings, a passenger depot 20 x 36, freight 
depot 25 X 100, and an engine house 25 x =0 feet, 
were completed September i, 1868. 




Duryea Beekman is the president and one of 
the incorporators of the First National bank. He 
is vice-president and has served as secretary of the 
Middleburgh and -Schoharie railroad, with which 

he has been iden- 
tified from its 
begmning. His 
ancestors were of 
the sturdy New 
England race. 
His grandfather, 
the Hon. William 
Beekman, was 
the first judge 
of Schoharie 
county, appoint- 
ed June 10, 1795, 
and serving with 
distinction until 
1S33. His son 
Nicholas, the father of Duryea, who died January 
13, 1874, served in the state assembly in 1841. 
The subject of this sketch was elected to the 
assembly of 1879 by a majority of 1506, which ex- 
ceeds the average majority of later years. He 
was born at Seward. Schoharie county, August 9, 
1840. His early years on a farm were devoted to 
hard study, developing that conscientious and 
persevering character which has placed him at the 
head of a successful bank. On October 16, 1859, 
he married Elizabeth Richtmyer. One child, 
Charles, died when eight months old. The other 
two are living; Dow, a practicing attorney, and 
William G., now in college. Mr. Beekman is an 
active democrat. 

The Scenery Around Middleburgh is magnifi- 
cent. It has many attractions for summer homes. 
Here the valleys of the Schoharie and the Little 
Schoharie unite. Together they lead the way 
directly north to the Mohawk, watered by the 
broad bosom of the historic Schoharie creek with 
its alternating deeps and shallows and its treas- ■ 
ures of bass, pickerel and numerous other finny 
game. The Little Schoharie tumbles down 
through that valley which leads directly east to 
Catskill. The main Schoharie creek and val- 
ley rise from the swelling bosom of the loftiest of 
the Catskill group, Hioiter mountain, coming 
in at Middleburgh from the south by east. The 
pickets of the Catskills, nosing between the two 
valleys from the south, and their sister or spur 
summits, the Hellebergs on the east, and the 
Middlebergs on the west, maintain eternal vigi- 
lence over the pretty village nestling in security 
from high winds and cold winters, at their feet. 
What a magnificent panorama is presented from 
either one of those summits ! the Oucongena; 
the OnistragrawaKgh (called by reason of its 
profile, " Vroman's Nose"); the Mohegonter with 
its lofty pinacle and huge shoulders, one of which 
is sliced oif to a perpendicular height of 300 feet ; 
or the Kanjearagoi-c', clad in leafy habiliments 
from its feet to its black, rocky seamed brows, 
from which is derived the name by which it is 
commonly known — " the Chft^!" 



The First Settlement in Schoharie County 

was at Middleburgh. Sixty families of Palatan- 
ates, refugees from old Germany, cut their way 
through the woods from the Hudson river in 171 3, 
under the leadership of John Conrad Weiser. 
The historians do not fix the exact year of their 
arrival, but after reading the statement of grievi- 
ances which they sent to King George in 1720, a 
verified copy of which appears in Roscoe's history, 
that point seems to be clear. They were settled 
in the camps of the Livingston's in 1710. " The 
latter end of that year (referring to ' the second 
year of their abode at Livingston's')," says the 
petition, "There being no provisions to be had 
and the people bare of clothes, which occasioned 
a terrible consternation, * * * some of their 
chiefs were suddenly dispatched away to the In- 
dians," etc. This was in the winter of 1712. 
" The chiefs returned to the people, acquainting 
them with the favorable disposition of the Indians, 
* * * all hands were put at work and in 
two weeks cleared a way through the woods of 
fifteen miles long * * * which being effected, 
fifty families were immediately sent to Sihorie." 
This must have been in the beginning of the year 
of 1713, because the petition a little further on 
says, " In the same year in March, did the remain- 
der of the people proceed on their journey, and 
by God's assistance travell'd in fourtnight with 
sledges thro' the snow which then covered the 
ground above three feet deep. Cold and Hunger 
joyned their friends and countrymen in the Prom- 
ised Land, Sckcrie." The Indians referred to 
were the Mohegans. 

Willard G. Putnam, cashier of the First Na- 
tional Bank, has had considerable experience as a 
financier. He was born in Troy, August 21, 1838. 
He received a liberal education and in early life 

became identi- 
fied with the 
Rensselaer and 
Saratoga rail- 
road, occupying 
for ten years 
the position of 
general ticket 
agent and pay- 
master of that 
road. During 
the sixties he 
established and 
controlled the 
Putnam Ship 
Towing & Ex- 
cursion line of boats in New York harbor and was 
intimately associated with such well known ship 
owners as Moses H. Grinnell, Marshall O. Rob- 
erts and Charles H. Marshall. Sixteen years ago 
he came to Middleburgh for his health. He 
accepted a position in the bank three years later, 
and for the past ten years has served ably and 
efficiently as cashier. In 186S he married Miss 
Elizabeth Shufelt of Troy. He is a member of 
the Ivanhoe Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 127, of 
Brooklyn, and is an active member and steward 
of the Methodist church of Middleburgh. 




The First Title to Schoharie Lands known to 
have been recorded was obtained by Adam Vro- 
man from the Indians, and the tract has since 
been known as Vroman's Land. It is two miles 
south-west of Middleburgh. The conveyance is 
dated Schenectady, August 20, 171 1. He obtained 
a Royal Patent to these lauds from King George 
August 26, 1714. On March 30, 1726, he obtained 



r.RIPS ILLUSTRATED SorVIMR 






a new jjrant in.ni uio inciiuiis. He settled his 
lands with twenty families of Hollanders and there 
was considerable friction between his people and 
the Palatanales before they were able to settle 
down into neighborly relations. 

J. Schuyler Vroman is a direct descendant of 
Adam Vroman, who by purchase from the Indians, 
opened and settled a large tract of land adjacent 
to the village of Middleburgh. Ephraira, his 

father, married 
a daughter of 
Peter Mattice of 
the town of Mid- 
dleburgh. His 
grandfather, Jo- 
siah, married a 
daughter of Col. 
Uietz. Hisgreat- 
grandfather, 
ICphraim, and 
wife, suffered se- 
verely from the 
depredations of 
the toriesand In- 
dians in the rev- 
olution. They were driven from their home by 
Brandt and a party of Indians and sought con- 
cealment in acorn field. She was murdered, but he 
and an infant in his arms were taken prisoners. 
Their descendants have multiplied and figured 
conspicuously in the growth and development of 
Middleburgh. Mr. Vroman was born October 23, 
1844. He left the farm at sixteen years of age 
and attended sch<X)l at Charlotteville and Carlisle. 
At nineteen years of age he taught school. In 
1S73 he went mto business with (leorge Shaler at 
Gilboa, and subsequently returned to teaching. 
On September i, iS<)i, he married Alice, the 
daughter of B. V. Kniskern, of Schoharie. Her 
grandfather. Freeman Stanton, was a prominent 
merchant of Middleburgh. Mr. Vroman is an 
active democrat who maintains strict conscientious 
scruples against the use of money in elections. 
He IS a vigorous and untiring worker for the party. 
He was elected supervisor last year from the town 
of Middleburgh and his otVicial actions in the 
board carry with them the conviction of a faith- 
ful discharge of duty. 

Middleburgh Stands on Historic Ground. It 
was the gateway for the tory and Indian expedi- 
tions to and from their headquarters on the 
Niagara river during the revolutionary war. 
Three forts were constructed in 1777 in the Scho- 
harie valley to dispute their pa.ssa^c and many 
battles and skirmishes resulted at this point. All 
that remains of the middle fort one nide north of 
Middleburgh is a narrow stone building with the 
old fashioned steep Dutch roof. A sketch of the 
fort as it stoo<l at the time of the invasion bv Sir 
John Johnson and Brant on the 17th day of Octo- 
ber, 1780. when the village and neighboring settle- 
ments were burned, was drawn by R. A. firider, 
of Canajoliarie, in 18*7. Three acres were en- 
closed with palisades, the line of which was years 
afterwards verified by means of holes in the 
ground in which were found the rotting stumps 
of the pickets. The buildings, a stone house and 
log barn were standing within the recollection of 
people living in the year Mr. Cirider drew the 
plans. Within the past few years many valuable 
relics have been plowed up on the site of the old 
fort and on adiacx-nt lands. Mr. F. H. Mallery 
has a curious collection of arrow heads, coins, 
musket locks and balls. Knives and tomahawks 
have l)cen picked up in the village. .-Vniong the 
latter is a most curious pipe and blade attached 
to a handle bearing fifty notches. 



Middleburgh was Erected into a Town March 
17. 17)7. It was then Middletown. It received 
its present name April 7, iSoi. Schoharie county 
was formed from Albany and Otsego counties 
April 6, 1 795. The town of Fulton was detached 
from Middleburgh April 15, 1S29, and the present 
limits were established by detaching portions now 
included in the town of Broome in 1549. The vil- 
lage was originally Weiser's dorf. It was subse- 
quently known as Hunterfield The village was 
incorporated April 16, iSSi. Those who are enti- 
tled to credit for the movement are George I»<Klge, 
Vi. N. Frisbie, J. F. Young, H. l>. Wells, Harrison 
Hallenbeck, Wm. Dunn, M. Guernsev. J. L. ICngle, 
David Bassler. W. H. Engle. Johii H. Mallerv, 
W. E. Thorne, Hadley Snyder, A. J. Freemyer, 
G. S. Lvnes, John H. Cornell, F'rank Straub, J'. H. 
Badgley, G. L. Danforth. Joseph Becker. W, E. 
Bassler, J. Neville, D. Beekman, M. Scult. Dr. 
James Lawyer. 

William E. T."iome, is the president of the vil- 
lage of Middleburgh. chosen for the eleventh time, 
Hve times consecutively without opposition in the 
caucus or at the |X)lls. He is prominent in everv 

: progressive 

~'i ;■ in village 
:■-. the in- 



'. he nrc depart- 
•neiit. the build- 
ng of the water 
\- o r k s , the 



i the CoojH r-- 
•■■•wn. Mwltlle- 
burgh & Cats- 
kill r.iili. I ,;;y he was a promoter 
and is the president. He is prominent in the 
cemetery associatitm and is a director of the Mid- 
dlebnrgli & Schoharie railroad. He was born in 
Athens. Greene county, Julv 21, 1S42. He was 
educated in the academy at knox, Albany c<"""v 
and stu<lied law with Judge Mayliam .-it Hler: 
N. Y. He was admitte<l to practice in thi -■ .■ 
courts December, 1805, and to the United States 
courts April, 1S67. He entered into partnership 
with the late Judge Lyman Sanford at Middle- 
burgh, January 1, i568, which continued up to the 
latter's death, .March. iSsi. He served as district 
attorney in 187*, and was prominently supported 
for county judge a year ago ii.^...,: .^v..— ... 
gate in s|>ecial ca.ses where tli' 

fied. He is one of the most ; .■- 

in the county having been delegate to a nunilwr 
of state conventions and having served as chair- 
man fif the town committee for twenty-one con- 
secutive terms. He is an Odd Fellow and was 
the first master of the local M ' Igc and in 

1877-S was district deputy .^ter of the 

nth Masonic district. He l^ :^,., : as one of 

the liest working Masons in the state. He is also 
a meml>er of the Burgess Corps and St George's 
Commandery at Schenectady. 

George A. Dutton is one of the board of village 
trustees and a nieiiiber c.f the democratic county 
committee. He was born in Bioome, September 
J3. 1*37. and ilevoted his entire time to farming 
until 1SS7, when he moved into the village. He 
owns a farm of 3<;o acres which occupies much of 
his attention. It is situated two miles east of 




GRIP'S" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 




The old Bridge at Middleburgh — Schoharie Vallev. 



Franklinton. His principal interest is sheep rais- 
ing, in which he has been quite successful. On 
March 4, 1874, he married Elmira B., the daughter 
of Robert C. Leonard, of Broome. They are 
identified with the Reformed church, at which 
they are regular attendants. Mr. Dutton is a 
member of the local Masonic lodge. He has inter- 
ested himself in the necessity of water works and 
as a member of the village board of trustees did 
his share towards making the enterprise an assured 
fact. 

William Tompkins, a trustee of the village of 
Middleburgh, was born in that town April 2, 1848. 
His father, Samuel, was a farmer. At eighteen 
years of age Mr. Tompkins moved to the village. 
He learned the trade of a moulder and followed 
that business for fifteen years, having for a part- 
ner Nathaniel Tompkins. He subsequently built 
a saw mill which he has since conducted, turning 
out lumber for the trade. He is a member of La 
Bastile lodge of Odd Fellows No. 494 of Middle- 
burgh. He married Abbie, the daughter of John 
Lambert, in February, 1S88. He was elected a 
trustee of the village a year ago last spring and is 
one of the board which has brought into the vil- 
lage the new water system. 

George E. Borst, one of the village trustees, 
occupies much of his time in the public affairs of 
the town. He was born in Middleburgh, January 
27, 1S45. Twenty-five years ago he started in the 
harness business on Railroad street, subsequently 
locating in the Borst block on Main street, where 
he now conducts a large harness and general 
saddlery supply and manufacturing establishment, 
dealing entensively in wagons and sleighs. He is 
actively identified with the Methodist church, 
being one of the building committee. He is 
treasurer of the Middleburgh Cemetery associa- 
tion and of the fire department. Mr. Borst is 



entitled to a share of credit as one of the village 
board in granting a franchise for the new water 
company. 

William H. Neville, for three years the editor 
of the Gazette and for two years a member of 
thedemocratic county committee, but who resigned 
this fall, was born at Middleburgh, August 6, 1867. 

His father, Jacob 
Neville, was a 
prominent demo- 
crat and for thir- 
ty years one of 
the best known 
merchants in the 
town. He left a 
handsome com- 
petence at the 
timeof hisdeath. 
His son, William 
H., attended the 
Albany academy 
1881-5. He was 
deputy in the 
post-oftice under his father during Cleveland's 
first administration, and following that was with 
the Brandow Printing Company at Albanj- one 
year. On December 10, iSgi, he bought the Mid- 
dleburgh Gasette. which he sold September 6, 
1894. On June 22, 1893, he married Maude E., 
the daughter of H. O. Lewis, of Cones ville. He 
is a member of the Odd Fellows Encampment, 
Canton Young at Schoharie, the Middleburgh 
lodge F. and A. M., and the Red Men. 

George W. Vroman, a leading merchant, was 
born in Middleburgh, October 21, 184S. His 
father, Abram L. Vroman, was an old resident of 
the town, a carpenter by trade. His mother was 




GRIPS" ILLUSTRATED SOLVENIR. 



Snphia Effner. Her father. Joseph, was latgcly 
engaj^ed in the tannery business when that 
was an important imluslry of Middleburgh, 
Mr. Vroman began a clerkship at twenty years 
of age, first with Philip Humphrey,' after- 
wards with William Borst, and later with G.N. 
Frisbie. Then he began the drug business with 
Hoag & Richtmyer and when that firm dissolved 
he continued with Richtmyer until J. T. Dunn 
bought him out. Mr. Dunn died in 18S3. and Mr. 
Vroman and iJr. James T. Lawyer formed a co- 
partnership the same year and continued the same 
business until the latter died in iSqo. In 1S92 the 
affairs of the firm bemg settled, Mr. Vroman re- 
tired and the following year started in alone where 
he now is with a new and large stock. Here he 
has built a large and prosperous business. For 
years he was an active democrat. Afterwards he 
entered the prohibition movement, which ap- 
pealed to his priciciijles. and he is to. day foremost 
in that cause. He is a trustee of the M. Iv. church 
and an Odd Fellow. On February 7, 1887. he 
married Irene, the daughter of Lewis Fox of Mid- 
dleburgh. They have two children, Everett and 
Kdna. 

Pierre W. Danforth, the editor of the Middle- 
biirgli l'r,-5s, is the youngest editor in the county. 
In September, 1889, he started The Welcome 
Guest, a two column folio monthly. This he pub- 
lished until last year when he made a three col- 
umn folio, weekly, and gave it the present name. 
This year he publishes the Press as a three-col- 
umn quarto and is making a newsy, successful 
sheet. He is studying law with his father. 




lik~l Nvn.'VM lUsK. Mi.|.l)i-I>urv;h. \, Y 

Village and Town Officers. 
President — Wii.i 1 am Tiiok.se. 
Trustees— (iF.oKi-.K E. Hokst, Geoki;e A. l)i i- 

TON. \V,M. I'. To-MTKINS. 

Village Clerk — \Vi I.I. I AM II. N'kviii.k, 

Treasurer — W. G. PtiNAM. 

Collector — S. M. Simi'kins. 

Street Commissioner — Rohkrt Wooh. 

Police Justice— 11. M. Maksei.lis. 

Police Constables — O. C. Sornherc.f.r. M. 

SlllKK. AmhK.i^K Cllli IIKMKK. 

County School Commissioner, 1st District — 

J. K. \\\ Kk>"N. 

Board of Education —Gkorcf. L. nASKiiKiii, 
President; J. E. VouNc, Secretary; Dr. C. S. Best, 
Commissioner; Daniel D. Frishib, Treasurer. 

Supervisor — J. Sciu'vi.er Vroman. ^, 

Town Clerk — F. A. Sii.i.ivan. 



Justices of Peace — Josei'ii Becker, H. M. 

Makseliis, CiiEbiKK Wilson, George S. Atchin- 

SON. 

The Town Board audits all accounts. It is 
composed of the Supervisor and the four Justices 
of the Peace. The Town Clerk acts as secretary 
of the board. 

George Lintner Danforth, lawyer, literateur 
and historian, is the descendant of an old estab- 
lished family which was so largely active in the 
settlement and building up of Schoharie county. 

He lakes deep 
interest and de- 



votes much of 

r" ^^ his time and 

I ^B I means in histor- 

T|^ ^^^J^M ical researches. 

^^ ^^^^^^L which prove of 

^^ ^^m so much value 

^^r^^K^^l^r in later years. 

^K^KKJ^^^ He the presi- 

'^^^^^^^p' dent of theScho- 

^^^^^P^. harie County 

^^^^^^\^^L Historical Socie- 

^BMm^^^^^B^JI^^) which is do- 

ing very much in 
preserving local records and historical relics, and 
he has placed at the disposal of the societv many 
valuable facts in the form of writings and addresses. 
He was a member of the constitutional convention 
of 1S94. His grandfather. George, a lawver of 
preeminent ability, died in the south. His father, 
the late supreme court judge, Peter S. Danforth. 
lived to more than three score and fifteen years 
and filled the jiages of local history with the lustre 
of his personal qualuies. He died three years 
ago. George Lintner was born at Middlebiirgh. 
N. Y.. July 19. 1844. lie was graduated at Rut- 
gers college in 1S63. He is trustee of that ancient 
institution and president of its alumni association. 
He was admitted to practice law in 1S65. He is 
president of the board of trustees of the I'nion 
Free school, director of the First National bank, 
and treasurer of the Middleburgh and Schoharie 
Kailro.id Company. He is an active .Mason and 
odil Fell iw an<l an exirnest democrat in politics. 
His home is the spacious ancestral mansion in the 
pretiiest portion of the valley, where the hospi- 
tality of the Danforth's of \ears ago is fully main- 
tained by .Mr. Danforth and his atxomplished wife. 
His only child. Mr. Pierre W. Danforth. is a stu- 
dent at law in his oHice and the editor and pub- 
lisher of the Mi<ldleburgh Press. 

The Union Free School of the village of Mid- 
dleburgh was established by a union of school 
districts, Nos. 4, 7 an<l 8. by a vote of the three 
districts taken at a union meeting held in the vil- 
lage of Middleburgh, January 10, i?S3. The first 
board of education chosen at that meeting were 
W. H. Albro, Harmon Vroman and Montraville 
l^ernsey. Mr. Albro was elected president Mr. 
Gernsey died the following September and Lewis 
Fox was elected in October to fill the vacancy. 
The Ixiard purchased a plot of two acres on 
Main street of Dr. Henry Wells and Bartholo- 
mew Becker, each receiving $i.;oo. The building 
is a three story brick structure surmounted by a 
cupula. The first and second floors arc each 
equally divided by a main hall passing from 
the front to the rear entrance with two rooms 
on each side. Two flights of stairs lead from 
the first floor to the top story which is entirely 



GRIP'S" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



devoted to a public hall, probably the most 
commodious in the county. The building com- 
plete cost about $17,000. It is supplied with as 
good a philosophical apparatus and library as can 
be found in any school district of the size, at a 
cost of about $1,000. Two furnaces with registers 
cost $2,000, the furniture another $1,000. This 
with the cost of the land and the subsequent grad- 
ing, laying walks, etc., brings the total cost of the 
school property and furnishings up to about 
$25,000. 

J. Edward Young, editor of the Middteburgh 
Gii::t'ite and member of the board of education, 
was born in Prattsville, Greene county, N. Y., 
January 6, 1S48. He graduated at Roxbury sem- 
inary. He is a 
forcible, vigor- 
ous writer doing 
considerable lit- 
erary work for 
other publica- 
t i o n s . He 
served as town 
clerk two years 
and for twelve 
consecutive 
years, begin- 
ning 1881, vil- 
lage clerk. He 
represented 
Schoharie coun- 
ty in the assem- 
bly of i8Sg. He is a stockholder in the first 
National bank, and is one of the promoters and 
directors of the Middleburgh Water company. 
He was active in the incorporation of the village 
and has served si.x years as treasurer for the Mid- 
dleburgh academy, being, in 1892, unanimously 
elected member of the board. He is an uncom- 
promising democrat often representing his party 
in state and county conventions and on the connty 
committee. He was married to Miss Inez, daugh- 
ter of James A. Bouck of Conesville on Nov. 15, 
1893. He is district deputy grand patriarch, I, O. 
O. F. for the .Schoharie district, and a member of 
Canton Young of Schoharie, which is named after 
him. 




F. A. Wells, of Badgley & Wells, is one of the 
young, enterprising business men of the village. 
He was born in Middleburgh, December 13, 1859. 
At twenty years of age he entered a clerkship with 
J. B. Badgley in the drug business. Eight years 
ago he accepted an interest in the store. C. M. 
Badgley, also a partner, has since retired from 
the firm and it has continued under the firm name 
of Badgley & Wells. The latter is a charter and 
active mem.ber of the Scribner hook and ladder 
company and is personally active in whatever 
promises the best interests of the village. In 
March, 1891, he married Miss Ina Straub. The 
firm does a large and widely e.xtended business in 
drugs, paints, oils and adjunctory lines of mer- 
chandise. Its patronage comes from a considera- 
ble stretch of country. The store is in a commo- 
dious building in the centre of the village and 
occupies two floors. 

Robert 0. Gordon, proprietor of the Gordon 
House has built up a paying business, having had 
considerable experience behind the desk in the 
leading Susquehanna valley hotels. He was clerk 
in the Babcock at East Worcester three years, in 
the Central at Oneonta four and a half years, in 
the Ballard at Cooperstown four years and in the 
White House at Middleburgh four and one-hal 



years. He is an active democrat, a member of 
the local Masonic order and of the Independent 
Order of Red Men. 

P. H. Fredericks is one of the largest furniture 
dealers in the county. He was born in Seward, 
Schoharie county, January 5, 1840. At twenty-two 
years of age he learned the carpenter's trade and 
followed it sixteen years in Cobleskill. For four 
years he manufactured spring beds, On Novem- 
ber 27, 1882, he came to Middleburgh and began 
business in furniture and undertaking on Railroad 
street. In 18S6 he bought a most eligible plot 
41 -x 600 feet on Main street, in the center of the 
village. On this he erected a pretty three story 
brick building. His property comprises one of the 
best block of building sites in town. His stock of 
goods includes carpets, furniture, oil cloths, etc., 
a considerable portion of the best articles of which 
he manufactures himself. The building comprises 
his store on the ground floor, a suite of residences 
on the second floor, and a commodious lodge 
room on the third floor which is occupied by the 
La Bastile Lodge of Odd Fellows No. 494. 

The Firm of West & Taylor was established 
in 1891. The business consists of groceries, pro- 
visions and flour and feed, which are supplied to a 
large farming section. During the first year the 
firm sold 1000 barrels of flour and twenty-five car 
loads of feed, which was then regarded as a re- 
markable trade. Subsequently these figures have 
increased each year, the trade reaching for several 
miles in every direction. The store capacity be- 
coming overtaxed the firm secured a warehouse at 
the depot where the unloading of cars is facilitated 
and where a large stock can be safely and conven- 
iently stored. The firm has the agency of the 
Granite City mills, St. Cloud, Minn., and flour is 
shipped directly from the mills to them. They 
also buy and ship large consignments of country 
produce. 

The Union Free School Teachers. — H. H. 

Snei.l, Ph. B., principal and librarian; Mattii.de 
E. Snell, vice-principal; Miss Ella C. Crosswell, 
perceptress; Miss Elizabeth M. Rorick, gram- 
mar department; Miss Alice M. ReQua, inter- 
mediate department; Miss Anna E. Becker, A. 
primary; Miss Cornelia Bouck, B. primary. 



John Philip Segner, a leading furniture dealer, 
undertaker and embalmer, is a representative 
German-American citizen and is active in local 
democratic politics, having served as town clerk 

two years. He 
was born in 
Wertheim, Ger- 
many, June 22, 
i860, where he 
learned the 
trade of cabinet 
maker. He 
worked in Liv- 
erpool at nine- 
teen years of 
age and landed 
in Middleburgh 
August, 1880, 
and was em- 
ployed by John 
Souers. In 1881 he traveled through the west and 
on his return formed a copartnership with Souers. 
This was dissolved in 1S84 and Segner journeyed 
around the globe. In 1887 he succeeded Souers 
and has since built up a large business. He is a 
practical undertaker and embalmer having a 
diploma from the United States College of Em- 
balming dated August 7, iSgi. On April 23, t8S8, 
he married a daughter of George P. Messer of 
Middleburgh. 




8 



"GRIP'S" n.LrSTRATRD SOUVENIR. 



A. J. Freemyer. the proprietor of the Free- 

myer house, was born in the town o( MicUilebur>;h. 

July 21. i8s6. The family is among the oldest in 

the county. On April i, 1S59, he lea.sed the tavern 

.^^^^^^^^^^^ I in the east end 

^J^3^^^^^^^^ ' 'iwned by Jonas 

/' ^^^^ Persons. '1 othis 

/ ^K lie gave the 

fl> ^~ wM name of Bull's 

^ Mead. On .April 

inyer leased the 
hotel now bear- 
ing his name 
a n cl s u b s e- 
quently pur- 
chased the prop- 
erty, lie budt 
a large addition 
and raised the main part and has since spent many 
hundreds of dollars in improvements. In 1S54 
he married Nancv Catharine, the daughter of \Vm. 
Shaver. Their son, William, is dead. Their 
daughter is Mrs. Hiram Bender, of Albany. Mr. 
Freemyer is a staunch democrat and years ago 
was very active in local politics. The Freemyer 
House was built seventy years ago by a merchant 
named Fcrrill. The landlords up to Mr. Frce- 
myer's time were Messrs. Tyler and Holton, 
Abram S. Ue Myers, Nicholas Snyder. David 
Danforth, one Buckingham and E. I). Atchison. 




Dr. Hadley Snyder, for years a denK)cratic 
leader, in iSS: a member of assembly, for three 
years a school trustee and one of the promoters 
of the present excellent graded school and for a 
number of terms a supervisor, was born October 
21, 1S31, at Newville, Herkimer county. At four- 
teen years of age he entered the dental office >•: 
Dr. H. D. Hall in New York. When nineteen 
years old he located at Middleburgh. The doctor 
served three terms as school trustee, employing 
the best teachers and so th<iroughly arousing the 
village to the need of a graded sch(x>l that from 
that time the subject was exploited until the 
change was made. On November 25. 185S, the doc- 
tor married Cornelia Irwin, his first wife. They 
had one daughter, now the wife of Dr. J. C. Nef- 
son, a prominent physician of Truxton. Cortland 
county. The doctors present wife was Miss Alice 
Pett of Ritchtield Springs. 



^ #» 



Seymour Shafer, clerk in the Freemyer House 
who has beiiime c|uite popular with the traveling 
public, was born at Richmondville, October 19, 
1862. His father, lohn Shafer, was a hotel man 

of ex|)ericnce, 
proprietor of 
,j^. what is now the 

«^ White House 

.ind afterwards 
■ h e IC m ]) i r e 
House at Rich- 
{^^ ^^ nondville. He 

"^ A- as a bi irn land- 

. Uird and his son 

^ ^ inherits the 

same trait. The 
l.itlcr married 
(ieorgie. daugh- 
ter of (Icorge 
Craw of Grand 
Gorge, Octolicr 15, 1884. He is an active worker 
for the local democratic parly. He began the hotel 



r 




business in 18S1 and is very widely acquainted with 
the hotel patrons of the Susquehanna. He is a great 
admirer of gcMKl horses. He has ser\-ed five years 
in the fire department and is an honorary mem- 
ber of the steamer company. He is junior deacon 
in the Middleburgh lo<lge,' F. & A.'.M , and con- 
ductor and vice grand in the Odd Fellows. He is 
also a member of the Red Men. 

Mrs. A. P. Snyder, milliner, has for eight years 
conducted the business in Middleburgh. After 
ten years experience, Mrs. Snyder gives the ladies 
of Middleburgh an opportunity to secure the latest 
styles of hats without the necessity of going out 
of town. She brings direct from New York the 
freshest line of ladies' fancy goo<ls, dress silks, 
fancy yarns, notions, ribbons,' articles for making 
fancy work, ready made muslins, woolen under- 
wear, velvets, etc Her trimmings are up to the 
times and the verj- prettiest that can be devised. 

Mrs. Ii. C. White has proven that a thoroughly 
business woman can successfully manage a first- 
cla.ss hotel without stepping out of her natural 
sphere in life. On the death of her husband. 

William Sidney 
White, which 
iKCurred Janu- 
ary 31, 1S91, she 
was left with 
the large hotel 
proiierty, the 
White ' House, 
on her hands. 
She was i)laccHl 
in the position 
where she had 
to sacrifice val- 
uable interests 
or take the 
management 
into her own hands. With indomitable pluck she 
at once chose the latter alternative. With busi- 
ness sagacity and an earnest desire to preserve all 
in the world that was left to her. she took the 
reins entirely in her own hands and has l>een re- 
warded with a prosperous and paying business. 
Her husband was formerly from Catskill. He 
took the White House in April, 1S90. Mrs. White 
is a native of BrcKiklyn ami a graduate of the 
High schiMil in that city. She married .Mr. White 
December 15. i.*So. By ]>ersevcrence and excel- 
lent management she has made the White House 
one of the l)est hotels along the Sus(|Uehanna. 

The Hotel Martin, a popular hostelry on Rail- 
road street, was purchased by Peter Martin fifteen 
years ago. Mr. Martin, a native of Alsace-Lor- 
raine, came to America when seventeen years old. 
He acquired a considerable coni|)etence in a res- 
taurant in Schoharie, which he conducted for fif- 
teen years. Twenty years ago he owned an inter- 
est in the hotel proiK-rty at Howe's Cave. Since 
he inirchased the Hotel .Marlin he has builtalarge 
addition, making it one of the largest hotels in 
town. He is widely known as a hearty, good 
nature<l landlord and his hotel is a favorite resort. 

George Simpkins, the Middleburgh representa- 
tive of •iIkh s " G.\/Knii, has served faithfully 
as assistant in the National Kxpress office. He 
{Misscsses good business qualities and is widely 
acquaintetl. He would make a hustling local 
manager in any branch of biisines.s. 



GRIP'S" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



The Express Business of ihe town has grown 
enormously since the National Express company 
established an office there ten years ago. Mr. 
Charles L. Haines, a popular young man, was 

placed in charge 
and since then he 
has drummed up 
the business to 
double what it 
was the first year. 
His duties at first 
included messen- 




society, the F. and A. M., and the I. O. O. F. He 
took an active part in organizing the volunteer 
fire department. He built the telegraph line 
which he owns and operates, June i, i88g. He 
has control of the telephone and the local office of 
the United States signal service. 



ger service on the 
railroad. Now he 
has a regular 
messenger, Mr. 
George Bassler, 
and an assistant 
in the office, Mr. 
George Simpkins, 
besides wagon delivery and driver. In the ship- 
ment of plums and dairy produce there has been 
a wonderful increase, 30,000 baskets of plums 
having been shipped the past season. The con- 
servative, safe and ample facilities afforded by 
the National are behind their hustling agent. Mr. 
Haines was born in Fulton, December 2S, 1559. 
On December 17. 1SS4, he married Lizzie E. , 
the daughter of John Kinney of Middleburgh. 
He is a red-hot democrat and a worker. He be- 
longs to the Masonic order and is the foreman of 
the Scribner hook and ladder company. 

The Post Office rates among the best in the 
county. There have been generally the ap- 
pointment on both sides of leading business 
men — in this way the best standard of e.xcellence 
has been maintained — such reputable business 
men as Jacob Neville (democrat), W. E. Bassler 
(republican), and Alonzo Almy (democrat), the 
present incumbent. The office distributes mail to 
eastern Schoharie and south-eastern Albany coun- 
ties via Livingstonville, Franklinton, Preston 
Hollow and Potter's Hollow. Mail is also for- 
warded to south-eastern Schoharie county via 
Fulton, Breakabeen and Blenheim. The office 
attendance is prompt and seldom an error occurs. 
EuwARii Cowan, the deputy, is in charge and 
Claud Bouck is his assistant. 



Frank X. Straub, the founder and owner of 
the telegraph line and business in Middleburgh, 
has been personally identified with every public 
improvement in the town, including the village in. 

corporation and 
the establish- 
^^^^ ^ ment of the fire 

mf^^ \ department. He 

H, I was born in 

H .^ «> Stuttgart, Wur- 

^ temberg, Ger- 

many, June I, 
1847, of Catholic 
parentage. At 
the age of four 
years he landed 
in New York. 
He was edu- 
cated in a Ger- 
man school in 
Brooklyn and settled in Middleburgh in 1S6S. He 
was confirmed in St. Luke's church at Middleburgh 
by the Rt. Rev. Wm. C. Doane in i86g. In 1S70 
he married Emmartte E., the daughter of Mon- 
treville Gernsey, of Middleburgh. In 1SS6 he 
visited his old home in Germany and received a 
royal welcome. He has been an active member 
of the Good Templars, the Columbian Literary 




The Fire Department, one of the best of the 
volunteers in the state, was organized December 
31, 1887, by a vote of the village trustees: William 
Thorne, president, J. C. Borst, George S. Lynes 
and Frank Snyder, trustees. George L. Dan- 
forth was elected chief and has since held that 
office. A neat and commodious two story brick 
building had already been constructed at the 
moderate cost of §2,000. A steamer and a hook 
and ladder company were organized. Subscrip- 
tions were taken to purchase a steamer, which has 
proven a useful and first-class article, at a cost of 
$2,000. J. M. Scribner, a New York business 
man who makes Middleburgh his summer home, 
drew his check for the purchase of a hook and 
ladder truck, and the company was named after 
him. 

The Officers of the Dei'Artmen'f. 

Chief Engineer — Geori.e L. Danforth. 

Assistant Chief — Emmett Vroman. 

Cter/; — Georue Basslek. 

Treasurer — George E. Borst. 

Fire Board consists of the President of the 
Board of Trustees of the village, the Chief Engin- 
eer and the Foreman of each company. 

The rules of the department were printed by 
the board of trustees and accepted by the depart- 
ment. Each company has monthly meetings and 
the department quarterly meetings. 

J. M. Scribner H. and L. Co. 

Foreman, Chari.es L. Haines. 

first Assistant, Frank Benn. 

Seeond Assistant, G. L. Fox. 

Secretary, John C. Miller. 

Treasurer, E. W. Vroman. 

Drill Master, Henry Shaver. 

Porter, Monroe Baker. 

Honorary Members: John M. Scribner, W. E. 
Thorne, J. C. Borst, G. N. Frisbie, J. S. Vroman, 
John Rossman, M.D., Jacob Neville (deceased 
Sept. 16, i89i). W. E. Bassler. Durvea Beekman, 
W. G. Putnam, J. E. Young, P. S. Danforth (de- 
ceased July 10. 1892), J. B. Badgley, James Law- 
yer (deceased Oct., i8gi), C. S. Best, M.D., W. H. 
Beller, H. D. Wells, Charles A. White. 

Charter Members: C. M. Badglev, E. D. Becker, 
Dow Beekman, Georjre Billings. I. L. Brayman, 
J. M. Burchard, H. Brazee, A. W. Chatfield. J. L. 
Dennison. F. W. Fo.x, Lee Frederick, C L. 
Haines, Theodore Head, I. B. Hess. J. T. Kelsey, 
A. J. Kniffen, Henrv McBain, VV. H. Neville, 
M. E. Owen, C. H.' Rhinehardt, E. Simpkins, 
G. W. Simpkins. A. W. Stevenson, F. X. Straub, 
W. Travers, E. W. Vroman, Jesse Vroman, T. B. 
Vroman, W. C. Vroman, F. A. Wells, F. L. Wil- 
liams, C. E. White. M. Wilson, W. T. Riven- 
bergh. M.D.. G. D. Frisbie, D. A. Reynolds. 

Members since Admitted : George Hill. Manly 
Petchel, George L. Fox, R. Whitney, Emmet 
Pechtel, Henrv Shaver, Marvin Rivenbergh, 
Frank Benn, Charles Beller, B. G. Cornell, Wm. 
Hotaling, John Miller, C. Winegar. George Burch- 
ard. James Baker, Frank Bliss, Christopher Eff- 
ner, Gordon Dibble, N. Manning, Jr., T. Grant 
Ferguson. 

Steamer Company No. i. 

Foreman. Georc.e W. Cornell. 

First Assistant, George Bassler. 



GRIPS • ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



Stcond Assistant. George B. HvnE. 

Sfcrelary, Chakles Simpkins. 

Treasurfr. Cari.eton Coknell. 

Finance Commiltfe. T. W. Neville, Gkokuk B. 
Hyi>e. Charlks Warner. 

Engineer. S. C. West. 

First Assistant Engineer, Georoe Klock. 

Second Assistant Engineer. T. Waisun. 

Third Assistant Engineer. William Di .smorl. 

Charter members .—J. A. Mc.Mlister. John H. 
Cornell. Alonzf) Almy. W. S. Kreemyer. George 
E. Borst, M. Hazelton, George W. Cornell, George 
W. Vroman, A. B. Engle, Charles Williams, P. 
I). Stever. R. B Marsellus. A. E. Barney. G. W. 
Gage. C. Cornell. K. X. Straiih. I. U Hamilton, 
C. <). Uriggs, Y. A. Sii'livan. J. 'L Engle. T. S. 
Watson. E. Bates. C. Warner. William Tomp- 
kins, II. Durham. D. Wilson. R Wine^ar. C. R. 
Bouck, n. Spore. M. P. Bouck, G. W iJodge, A. 
Erance, J. P. Segner. M. Spore. G. B. Hyde, P. 
Brazee, A. Mallory, R U Gordon. H. S. Shaver, 
I. Rockstroh, George Bassler. P. Martin, S Red- 
ick. T. Hill, S. C. West, William Dunmore. T. W. 
Neville. H. Hermann, L. Mi-.Mlister, S. Hutch- 
ings, J V. Patterson, S. M. Simpkins, William J. 
Co«>ns. W. Ritkard. 

Memhcrs since admitted : — George E. Klock. 
William Dual, E. Shinley, J W Ritchie. E. Tomp- 
kins, G. B. Haines. John Reynolds, F. Ronev, T. 
Head, O. Sornberger. C. Simpkins, P. W. ban- 
forth, G. H. Campbell. E. L Shoemaker. A Mc- 
Bain, C. Van Vorhis. S Haines. G. A. Shoemaker. 
E. KnilTen. 



Jerome Badgley, of Ba<igley i: Wells, drug, 
gists, is one of the promoters of the Cooix-rslown, 
Middleburgh & Catskill railroad, and is an incor- 
porator in the Middleburgh Water company. He 

is liirector of the 
First National Bank 
and one of the stock- 
holders in the Miil- 
dleburgh railroad. 
He was born in Dii- 
anesbiirgh. Schen- 
ectady counlv, .-Vpril 
1 1. 1S35 His father 
was for years a mer- 
chant and the post- 
master at Schoharie. 
He began business 
life wi;h hi> father 
In iS()S-i) he was 1:. 
partnership with II; 
ram Howard in the drug business at Micdleburgli 
In 18S7. his son. Claud .M.. and Prank A. WelN 
were admitted to an interest in the business. Tli' 
former is now with the Douw H. Fonda Dnu; 
company at Albany, and the tirni is now Badglt n 
& Wells, Mr. Badgley is trustee of the l.uther.i 
church and an active republican. (In September 
7, iS()s, he married Miss .Marv C. the daughter of 
Nathaniel Manning. They have had two child- 
ren, one deceased. 




James Borst, a promoter and director of the 
new Midillebiirgh Water company has always 
Ijeen foremost and personally active in every en- 
terprise and improvement which benefits the vil- 
lage. For six \ears he was a member of the 
board of trustees. He was railroad commissioner 
and while occupying that position had the plea.s. 
urc • .■ the last lionds of the town, amount- 

ing; end interest. He was iKirn in Cen- 

tial ■•iiMv,,. .^t ptemtwr 10. iS4o. His father was 
a miller at that place and afterwarils at Mi<ldle- 
burgh. Thf H.irsts are among tin- most ii.,rjilili- 



of the early families in the county. In 1S76 Mr. 
Borst started the meat business which has been 
built up to one of the largest meat and provision 
markets in the county. Branching out as he did 
in other enterprises and devoting considerable 
lime in buying ho])s. he (six years ago) accepted 
as partner Julius Rock>troh. a practical German 
butcher. >lr. Borst is a member of the Ma.sonic 
order. Twenty years ago he married Emma, the 
daughter of Mortimer Cook. 

The Water Supply of the village is obtained 
from a stream of spring water high in the Helle- 
l)erg mountains. A reservoir with a capacity of 
many thousand gallons will serve as a reserve 
supply in dry weather. On theitjth day of October. 
iS/)4, Messrs. J. C. Borst and Frank X. Slraub 
lowered the first length of water pii>e into the 
trench prepared for it in Main street. The Mid- 
dleburgh Water Company is organized by enter- 
prising local business men. with whom are asso- 
ciated the projectors and largest stockholders, J. 
Warne and F. C. I-anib of Cooperstown. It is 
capitalized at $25,000. On the 20th day of Octo- 
ber. iSi>4. the articles of incorporation were tiled 
with the Secretary of State, and wjirk was at once 
begun, the surveys having previously been made 
at private e.xjicnse. The present capacity is one 
and a half million gallons [ler diem. This can be 
largely increased. The village board promptly 
made a contract with the company for not less 
than twenty-eight hy<lrants at §25 a hydrant i>er 
year with a public fountain and water for street 
s])rinkling to be supplied free of cost to the vil- 
lage. The contract runs for five years, at the 
expiratiim of which the village has a purchaser's 
option for $25,00(5. The officers and directors are 
Alex H. Clark. Fly Creek, president; J. Warne 
Lamb, Cooperstown, vice-president and secretary; 
F. C. Lamb and Charles H. Kaine of Coopers- 
town. and J. E. Young. James C. Borst and 
Jerome B. Badgley of .Middleburgh, directors. 

John Rossman, MD. , a leading physician of 
the county, was bdrn in Fulton, Schoharie county, 
March S. 1S47. He sludie<l me<Iicine with Dr. J. 
I>. Wheeler in Middleburgh in 1865, and after grad- 
uating in 1 865 
from the Phila- 
ilelphia I'niver- 
sitv of Medicine 
and Surgery 
practiced with 
iiini one year, 
since then con- 
tinuing alone 
• -fully. For 
vears he 
....^ '-^^upied the 
positionof health 
officer of the 
town and is a 
member of the 
Meilical society of Schoharie county. He is an 
active democrat and the secretary of the board of 

fiension examiners for Schoharie county, appointed 
)V President Clevelaiul. He is a menilivr of the 
Miiiiileburgh Lmlge F. and A. M No. Ohj. J.ihn L, 
Lewis Chapter No. 229 F. and A M.. St tieorgcs 
Cominandery No. 37 F. and A. M., the Middleburgh 
Encampment No. 121). and La Bastile Lo<lge I. O. 




O. F 



mpm 
No. 



494. He is district deputy grand mas- 



ter and district dejiutv grand patriarch of the 
Schoharie district 1. O. <). F. His tirst wife. 
Mary, the daughter of Cornelius Bouck, died in 
1-76. He married his present wile, Eliza1>eth B. 



GRIPS" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



The Clerks — Reference has been made to them 
in another paragraph. The clerk is the business 
man of the future. In Middleburgh we find at 
W. E. Bassler & Co.'s behind the counter courte- 
ous and active, fully attendant on his duties, 
How.vKD Bkst. of Fulton, who has probably been 
there two years. At Sullivan & Haynes is Arthur 
Mc Bain, a faithful clerk about five years; at En- 
gle Bros., Frank Ben.n", who is popular and has 
about four or five years' experience, and Henry 
WiLiiiK, who is prompt and pleasant. At the 
White House, Jerome Hagadorn is in charge, a 
genial, attentive gentleman. At G. W. Vroman's 
there are T. B. Vkoman and Chris. M. Ek.nek, the 
former there for four or five years and the latter 
for two years. Both are popular and faithful. At 
Alonzo Almy's there is Ralph Brazee, who began 
a year or so'ago and who is agreeable and oblig- 
ing to all. At D. D. & G. D. Frisbie's there are 
Messrs. Chester Vroman.oI Fulton, and Charles 
Maitue, of Blenheim, both popular and obliging 
young men. The former has been there about 
four years and the latter two years. At West & 
Taylor'sis Charles Dcnmore, who attends strictly 
and faithfully to his business. At John Cornell & 
Co.'s are John Miller and George Burchard. 
The former has been there about eight years and 
the latter about three years. Both are widely 
known and well liked. 





■Willard T. Rivenbergh, M.D., ^ young physi- 
cian, enjoys a large practice and a reputable 
place in the profession. He has served as presi- 
dent and vice-president in the Medical society 

of Schohari e 
County and is 
now medical 
examiner for 
several well 
known insur- 
ance companies, 
chief of which 
are the Mutual 
Life of New 
York, the North- 
western and the 
United States 
Accident. The 
doctor's ances- 
try are revolu- 
tionary stock. His wife vyho was Miss Belle Stan- 
ton, is a descendant of notable early pioneers, 
among whom was the illustrious General Dana, 
who was immortalized in general orders by 
General Washington immediately following the 
battle of Bunker Hill. Dr. Rivenbergh's mother 
was a Pultz. who was related to Walter Gunn and 
wife, distinguished Lutheran missionaries in In- 
dia. The doctor was educated at the Boys' Acad- 
emy, Troy, the South Berkshire Institute, Mass- 
achusetts, and the University of Buffalo, where 
he took the M. D. degree, graduating in 1SS5. 
He was president of the Alpha Omega Delta so- 
ciety, and his sheepskin bears his own official sig- 
nature as such. He was married at Middleburgh, 
October 14, iSiji. His wife is a graduate of the 
Albany Female Academy. 

Bates & Zeh is an important cigar manufactur- 
ing firm of Middleburgh. They succeeded the 
firm of Dillinger & Bates which was organized 
March i, 1891, by L. O. J. Dillinger and E. Bates. 
The business was continued by them until Decem- 
ber 15, 1S93, when E. Bates purchased the inter- 
est of Mr. Dillinger and sold the same to George 
E. Zeh and the firm has since continued business 



under the firm name of Bates & Zeh. The firm 
produced 250,000 cigars the first year, and their pro- 
ducthas steadily increased up to the present time. 

George L. Fox, editor of the Middleburgh News. 
was born in Middleburgh, N. Y., April 3, 1871. In 
18SS he began the publication of The American 
Youth, in Middleburgh, a monthly story paper 

with a circula- 
tion in every 
state in the 
union, and in 
1S89 sold it to 
a good advan- 
tage to a pub- 
lishing house in 
Boston. He 
subsequently 
purchased the 
South Orange, 
A\ J. , Journal 
and moved it to 
Middleburgh, 
where he asso- 
ciated hini^L-lf with Wellington E. Bassler, a 
prominent business man and republican, in the 
publication of the Middleburgli News, a weekly 
republican paper. The field was small and the 
venture unpromising, but with energy and perse- 
verance the publication has been pushed into the 
front rank of republican weekly papers, where it 
has proven successful. It is now one of the lead- 
ing papers of the county. Its circulation has 
grown rapidly. It is foremost in agitating local 
improvements. The plant has been enlarged and 
is now fuUv equipped for first class newspaper and 
job work. ' Mr. Fox is a member of Middleburgh 
Lodge No. 663, F. and A. M., a member and re- 
cording secretary of La Bastile Lodge No. 494, 
I. O. O. F., and Chief of Records of Oucongena 
Tribe, I. O. R. M. 

Tlie Middleburgh Lodge F. and A. M., No. 
663, was chartered June 6, 1S6S. To day it has 
forty-seven members in good standing and a well 
provided treasury. It was the first lodge in the 
nth Masonic district to pay its pro rata assess- 
ment to the Masonic Hall and Asylum fund. The 
amount was S647 ; the date of payment December 
31, 1S87. The meetings of the lodge are on the 
second and fourth Friday in every month, in the 
Neville building. The 'officers' Dow Beekman, 
W. M. ; Emmet Vroman, S. W. ; George B. 
Haynes, J. W. ; J. Schuyler Vroman, treasurer; 
G. S. Atchinson, secretary; W. T. Rivenbergh, 
S. D. ; George S. Hill, J. D. ; C. L. Haines, 
F. M. C. ; Wm. Loucks. 6. M. C. ; Rev. C. W. 
Pitcher, Chaplain ; Chas. Reeves, Tyler. 

"Wellington E. Bassler is the son of David 
Bassler who for fifteen years conducted a store in 
Huntersland and in 1S69 bought the Luther Vro- 
man store in Middleburgh. Here the business 

has since contin- 
ued, the son tak- 
ing a half inter- 
est in 1S71, and 
the father retir- 
ing in favor of 
John H. Cornell 
in April, 1S75. 
The latter with- 
drew January 1, 
18S0, and in i'887 
C. L McBain and 
GeorgeB. Wheel- 
er became the 
campany in the 
firm of W. E. 




12 



• GRIPS • ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



Bassler & Co. Mr. David Ba&sler died September 
13. i8g3. Mr. Wellinjfton Bassler was born in 
Huntersland. He graduated from Starkey sem 
inary in June iS(kj. He was chosen alumni trus- 
tee in 1S7; and president in 1871 still holding both 
positions. He was trustee of the Middleburgh 
academy si.\ years and four years its president ; in 
1S74 chosen superintendent of the Refornied 
church Sunday school which he still holds and m 
1882-S secretary of the Schoharie county Sunday 
school association. He has been its presiiicn; 
since 18S8. On January i. iScjo. he was associate! 
with Mr. Fox in founding the MiJJleburf^h Sews 
He is director of the First National bank, also tlu 
Middleburgh & Schoharie railroad. He has serve! 
as secretary and is the chairman of the republican 
county committee. He owns valuable farmin.^; 
stock and is a practical farmer. In 1874 he mai - 
ried Miss Alida. daughter of Nathaniel Manning 
This fall Mr. Bassler was republican candidate 
for assembly and in a county with a normal ma- 
jority of from 1,200 to 1,500 democratic he was de- 
feated by only 8y votes. This is as near an elect- 
ion as any republican candidate for assembly has 
ever come in Schoharie county. 

La Bastile Lodge of Middleburgh, I. O. O. F., 

No. 4i)4. was instituted February 13 . iss2. It meets 
every .Monday in the Fredericks building. There 
are about 100 members in good standing. Theotli- 
cers: C. E. White, N. G.; ICrskine Kniffen, V. (i.; 
George L. Fox, Recording Secretary ; Charles 
Snyder. Financial Secretary; George Bassler, 
Treasurer; Wm. H. Neville, Chaplain; Geo. \V. 
Vroman, R. S. N. G. ; Jas. Coons. L. S, N. G. ; 
C. Van Vol is, R. S. V. G. ; S. Haines, L. S. V. G. ; 
Wm. Bellinger, F. G. 

Jacob Vroman owns one of the best upland 
farms in the vicinity of Mid<lleburgh. He is an 
industrious, successful farmer and a man who has 
made money raising hops. His acres overspread 
the north side of the Mohegonter mountain, the 
summit of which is less than a mile to the south. 
The view from I'romiDi's is wonderful. The 
whole Schoharie Valley with Middleburgh three 
miles north in the foreground is in sight, and 
looking further north are the Maylield mountains. 





Dow Beekman is recognized as a conservative, 
sound and successful attorney who has built up a 
large practice through the county. His father, 
Duryea Beekman, and his mother, Elizabeth 

Richtmyer. de- 
scended from 
revolution- 
ary stock. He 
was born at Mid. 
dleburgh, Feb- 
ruary 8. I S62. 
He graduated 
I ^^^^ 1 from Union c-ol- 

t^fft^^ lege in I S84 and 

^F^^^^ fo' l**° years 

\^^^^^ ^'•'^^ professor of 

^^^^^ X^ mathematics at 

■^^ the I'nion Clas- 

sical Institute, 
Schenectady, at 
the same time 
studying law 
with Judge Samuel W. Jackson of that city. He 
was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in iSSb. 
The following vear he entered into partnership 
with William fe. Thome at Middleljurgh Mr. 
Beekman is active in local democratic jxilitics. and 
is thoroughly devoted to his party. In i8!-i(he was 
elected district attorney running largely ahead of 
his ticket. He served ably and proficiently, pros- 
ecuting vigorously yet with such careful and in- 
telligent attention to the legal merits involved, 
that in no case was an indictment drawn by him 
set aside or quashed. He has rendered valuable 
servic-e as a campaign speaker sini?e the time of 
the Cleveland campaign of ijS4. ser\-ing under 
the direction of the state committee in 1SS8, and 
his work drawing from the press and state com- 
mittee deserved compliments. He is W. Master of 
the Middleburgh Lodge, No. 663, F. &• A. M.,and is 
past sachem of Oncongena Tribe, No. 140, I. O. 
R. M.; also an Odd Fellow. He is a director of 
the Middleburgh & Schoharie railroad. He mar- 
ried Laura, the daughter nf G N. Frisliee of 
Middleburgh, June 9, 1S91. They have one child, 
Marjorie Elizabeth, 




TilF. Mii>i>i >: .S<- m HI * K I F. Four •<* 17S0. 
[A Sketch from iln>winK< iift«r BUihentk' data by Kufus A. Under. Canajoharie, S Y. 



GRIP'S ■■ ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



13 



The Middleburgh Encampment No. 129, I. O. 
O.F. was instituted February 24,1892, and has aboiit 
seventy members. It meets in the Fredericks 
building the first and third Friday in the month. 
The oilicers: C. E. White, C. P.; Wm. Dunmore, 
H. P. ; Chas. Snvder, S. W.; F. A. Sullivan, J. W; ; 
J. K. Alversoii, Scribe: Dr. John Rossman, 
Treasurer; James Coons, I. S. ; F. W. Fox, istW.; 
Carlton Cornwell, 2d W. ; C. Van Voris, 3d W. ; 
A. Richtmyer, 4th W. 

Daniel D. Frisbie, the editor of the Schohari 
Republican, was born in Middleburgh Novembe 
30, 1S59. His ancestors were New England set- 
tlers, one of them an officer in the revolution. He 

completed a col- 
legiate course at 
Ilartwick in 1S76 
and entered the 
store of Earls & 
Frisbie as clerk 
April I the same 
year. Five years 
later he was tne 
junior member of 
the firm of Frisbie 
& Son. On April 
I. 1 89 1, he became 
the head of the 
firm of D. D. & 
G. D. Frisbie, a 
leading nicixaiiUlL Imuse in the county. In 1890 
he acquired a half interest in one of the finest hop 
farms in the town and is a member of the Hop 
Growers association.' He was the president of the 
local democratic campaign clul) in 18S2; also m 
1884. He was member and treasurer of the county 
committee in 1886-'-. On August 8, 1SS7, he pur- 
chased the Schoharie Republican and re-estab- 
lished that paper on a paying basis. He has been 
delegate to various county and state conventions. 
He is treasurer of the Middleburgh academy and 
a member of the orders of Masons and Red Men. 
He is secretary of the Middleburgh and Schoharie 
railroad. He "is interested in local enterprises and 
prominent in the afi'airs of the town. 



ers, who constitute the firm, are Jacob L. and An- 
drew B., born September 23, i84Sand December 11, 
1S62, respectively. Jacob, at fifteenyearsof age was 
clerk with Jacob Neville one of the most success- 
ful merchants of the county. At twenty-six years 
of age he became a partner. In iSSo the business 
was moved from the dock into the present quar- 
ters, the Neville building. In 1885 Andrew was 
taken in as a partner and for five years the firm did 
business under the name of Neville. Engle &- Co. 





Engle. 



Engle Brothers have demonstrated that a large 
general mercantile establishment can be success- 
fully conducted on strictly a cash basis. During 
the four years they have been exclusively partners 
in the business it has taken rapid strides. The broth- 




.-\. 1;. 1: ..,l.L. 

The former then retired. The business was at 
once changed from the credit to the cash basis and 
has since steadily grown in importance. The 
second floor was opened for a bargain department 
and an entirely new stock of dry goods and gen- 
eral merchandise was put in. The store has since 
been fitted with a cash carrier system on both 
floors converging to a cashier's desk. It is one 
of the two stores in the county using the cash carrier 
system. 

Kelse>-, Vroman & Co., Middle- 
burgh, N. Y. 

A Lari;e Clothing and Gentlemen's Furmshinc 
Goods House. 

This firm was established Aprili, iSgi, and suc- 
ceeded Dodge & France. The members of the firm 
are Joshua T. Kelsey, E. W. Vroman and Charles 
E. White. They are young men, born and rearsd in 
the town in which they are engaged in business, 
thoroughly experienced in their line of trade, and 
fully acquainted with the wants of the large agricul. 
tural section from which they draw their patronage. 
Each member of the firm was engaged in the mer- 
cantile business for a considerable time prior to 
their present organization. Mr. Kelsey was with 
Dodge &- France fifteen years; Mr, Vroman was 
with Frisbie & Son from 1S80 to 1891, and Mr. 
White had served some years in the clothing 
business. He is a graduate of the Albany Busi- 
ness College. Each one is personally identified 
with the local lodges and are active in the social 
life of the village. Messrs. White and Vroman 
are Odd Fellows and the latter is also a Mason. 
Mr. Kelsey is a member of the local Order of Red 
Men. Their store is the largest exclusive cloth- 
ing and furnishing goods store in the county. It 
occupies the main floors of the Dodge building on 
Main street. In connection therewith they carry 
an extensive line of boots and shoes, rubbers and 
arctics. All the departments of the large Albany 
stores are represented in this establishment with 
the advantages of lower rents and considerably 
lighter expenses all around. 



>4 



CRIPS' II.I.rSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



William H. Albro, a successful lawyer ami 
business man. was born in Hunterslaml, Schoharie 
county, September 6, 1S40. He was educated in 
riiari. III. villi- ..inilnarv I'l.rt Kdward Collegi- 
ate institute and 
L'nion tolleKe. 
In iS(p4-5 he read 
law with W H. 
Knv;le, at Mid- 
dlebur^^h.andon 
Dec. S, 1805, 
was admitted to 
the bar at Al- 
bany. He prac- 
ticed law with 
Mr. Kngle until 
Tebruary, 1874. 
since which lime 
he has been 
alone. lie has 
one of the best'and most complete libraries in the 
state. In politics he is independent, a republican 
up to i8?o. He served one term, 1S7J, as school 
commissioner of the first district, showing ability 
and accuracy in the preparation of his |>apers. 
lie wa-s the first president of the board of eouca- 
tion of the L'nion Free schwil of Middleburgh, 
which had charge of the purchiuse of the present 

i)ro])eitv and the construction of the new building. 
le has been a trustee in the M. K church fifteen 
years. ( )n October 31, iSo;, he married ICIizabeth, 
the daughter of Daniel D. Dodge. She died Feb- 
ruary S, 1S92. They lost two boys, Willie, April 
14, 1872, and Arthur, November sS, 1893. Grace 
remains to brighten her father's home. When 
Arthur died he left a paying drug business which 
Mr. Albro conducts as administrator. 




St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran church was 
founded May 17, 1824. Rev. George A- Lintner 
A. M.. was the first pastor. The church was dedi- 
cated October 30, 1S24, by Dr, Lintner, assisted 
by Dr. E. L. Haselins and Rev. J. P. Goertner. 
It had about fifty members Dr. Lintner at that 
time preached at Middleburgh, Schoharie, Coble- 
skill and Brcakabeen. Eventually Middleburgh 
became a separate charge and Dr. Lintnercontin- 
ued an active and earnest pastorate there until 
1843. The succeeding pastors were: Rev James 
Lerter, 1843-5; Rev. Adam Crounse, 1845-S; Rev. 
Levi Sternliergh. 184S-50: Rev. N. H. Cornell, 
1S50-3: Rev. John D. English, i.'>54-8; Rev. Adam 
Martin, |S(»>-^; Rev. David Swfipe, iS(i?-<); Rev. 
C. S. Spraker, 1871-3: Rev. C- P. Whittaker, 
1873-5; Rev. J S Harkey, iS7(>-84 (the church 
was without a pastor from August, l87.'^, until the 
following March, also from Novcmtx-r, 18S4, until 
May, 1 885); Rev. J. A. Flickinger, 1SS5-8: another 
period without a pastor elapsed until Rev. Edgar 
O. Miller took charge, the date of which cannot 
be obtained. He resigned April i, 1892. 

TiiK Rk.v. Fkank Wni.KoRi). the present pastor, 
took charge August i, 1892. He was edu- 
cated at Hart wick seminary and he is now in his 
first ordaine<i pastorate. The first church builil- 
ing burned April 1, iSt.?. The present edifice, a 
a brick building, situated in a pleasant plot on 
Main street was dedicated October 4, iS-o. The 
old parsonage was burned March 19. 187a. The 
present parsonage was built in i.''74. The otVicers 
are: Eidkk- — Nathaniel Manning. P. S. Haines, 
H. M. Marselus. t; N. Frisbic. Dkaiuns, Dr.C. 
S. Best, Seneca Haines, Alliert Rickard. H F. 
Lewis, D. D Frisbie, S. \V. Houck. Emmett 
Haines, Joseph Horst Tm siKHs — \V. H. Haines, 
Dr. \V. T. Rivcnbergh. J. 11. Ha.lgley. 



The Hethodist Episcopal Church — The first 
McthcKlist society in Middleburgh was organized 
about seventy years ago. Its founders were Har- 
vey Wal.son. Ebcnerer McMullen, Adonijah Kirk- 
ham, Noah Dudley. Anthony Engle and others. 
The first Sabbath schofjl connected with this 
society was organized in May, 1829. During the 
early history of this society their religious meet- 
ings were held in a barn on the site of the present 
new church; afterwards in the upper district 
school house. In the year 1834 the original 
church was built and located in the upper part of 
the village, opposite the residence of the late Dr. 
James Lawyer, This siruciure was a plain woiKlen 
building 40 .\ 60 feet without steeple or bell, and it 
served the purpo.-e fir which it was built for fortv 
years. In 1S74 ihe present large, handsome brick 
edifice wxs erected on the corner of Main ami 
Clauverwy streets al a cost of S2?,'xx). The elec- 
tion of the first trustees was September 24 1832. 




The (Iced lit the tir-t cluirch lot purchased from 
John \V. Houck is dated January 28, 1833. The 
record of past<irs is John Haslam and John 
Dennison, 1S32; William Ames, 1S33; Jas. R. 
Goodrich. 1S34: RoswcU Kelley and Heiiry Wil- 
liams. 1J35; Roswell Kelley and Henry Burton, 
iStd; Henry Coleman and Peter W. Smit)i. 1S37-S; 
Henry Williams, V,(lentine Brown and Joseph 
Crounse. 1839: Hiram Ch.tsc. 1840-41 ; David Poor, 
and Isaac Devoe. 1^42; David P<Kir and Cha.s. 
Gill)ert, 1S43: Amos Oslxtrne, 1844; Manlv With- 
erill, 1S45-6; Chas E Giddings, 1S47-8; John W. 
Belknap. i84i)-!;o: Chas. Devoe, 1851-2; Bishop 
Isbell, 1S53-4: j. D. Burnham, 1855-6; Scelcv \\ . 
Brown, 1S57-S; John Pegg. i859-(«); Wm. Clark, 
iS(ii-2; Horace L. Grant. 18(13-4; Jeremiah .S. 
Hart. 18(15-7; Aaron D. Ileaxt, 18(18-9; James 
B. WchkI, 1870-1 ; John A. Savage. i.'>72-74; Syl- 
vester W. Clemens, 1S7?; Chas F. Noble, 1876-^7; 
J. A Atwcll, 1S78 80; "B. F. Livingston, 1881-3: 
1. .M. Webster, 1SS4-5; G. C. Morehouse, 1886-90; 
W. L. Smith, 1891-2. 

Rkv. C. EowARiis. the present pa-^tor, who 
assumed charge in 1893, was l>orn in Green- 
wich. Washington county. N. Y., Oclolwr 19, 
1842. He was educated at Fort Edward insti- 
tute and joined the Troy conferenc-e in 187(1. He 
was ordained in 187S. He has preached at Shu- 
shan and W. Arlington, Vt . Whitehall, East 



GRIP'S" ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. 



IS 



Whitehall, West Hebron, Belcher, Sandy Hill 
and Livingston's church, Troy. The present 
Trl-stees: W. H. Albro, G. S. Lynes, G.B.Wheeler. 
Class Leaders: G. W. Vroman, G. B. Wheeler, 
Harvey Borst, Smith Requa, E. F. Tibbits, Alonzo 
Zimmer, Geo. E, Haines, Noah D. West, Andrew 
Lawyer. Stewauus: A. B. Engle, W. C. West, 
C. L. McBain, Joel Barber, J. T. Kelsey, Joseph 
Becker, J. F. White, R. S. Keyser, E. Bates. 
Sunday Schohi. Officers: Superintendent, W. A. 
Requa; assistant superintendent, G. B. Wheeler; 
secretary, J. C. Miller; treasurer, E. W. Vroman; 
superintendent primary department. Miss Mabel 
Pierson. 

THE EPWORTH LEAGUE 

was organized Jannary, iSgi, and has 150 mem- 
bers. The officers: President, G. B. Wheeler; 
ist vice-president, W. A. Requa; 2d vice-presi- 
dent, Mrs. A. Crippen; 3d vice-president, Miss 
Grace Becker; 4th vice-president. Miss Grace 
Albro; secretary, Miss Alice M. Requa; treasurer, 
Mrs. H. B. Snyder. 







The Reformed Dutch Church is probably the 
oldest society worshipping in the oldest building 
in this part of the state outside of possibly 
Albany and Schenectady. The building was con- 
structed in 17S6, and to day its walls are in a per- 
fect state of preservation, kept freshly painted 
and in good order. The funds were raised by 
committees sent through the colonies making col- 
lections. The first sermon preached in the edifice 
was by George W. Schneider on November 18, 
1787. The church building stands in a maple shaded 
plot.near the river shore. The tower and spire are 



at the north end, towards the street. The entrance 
is at the south end, probably to secure better pro- 
tection from the winds. The society observed 
its centennial anniversary August ig, 1S86, and at 
that time the Hon. George L. Danforth delivered 
a carefully and ably prepared address which has 
since been printed. It includes probably all known 
records. From this most interesting sketch we 
take a few facts. The earliest record of the 
organization as such which he finds is 1730, though 
he concludes that 1 72S is nearer the exact year. 
The first record of the meeting house is in 1753. 
Prior to that time the congregation probably wor- 
shipped in private dwellings, or perhaps in the 
school house or a barn. There was no other 
church building until the Lutheran church was 
built in 1824. The first Reformed church was a 
frame building, which he believes was erected in 
1732. Roscoe finds a record of its dedication on 
December 18, 1737. It was burned with the rest 
of the village by Johnson and Brant October 17, 
17S0. The first bell w^as suspended in 1803. It 
weighed 704 pounds and was cast by Julius 
Hanks in Troy. The present 
bell, weighing 11 74 pounds, cast 
Viy Meneeley, of Troy, was 
suspended in 1875. The first 
preacher in the settlement was 
Hendrick Hager, 1713. The suc- 
ceeding pastors were: Fred 
iiager, 1720; John Jacob Ehle, 
1730; Reinhardt Erickson, 1732; 
Michael Weiss, 1732-6; Johan- 
nes Schuyler, 1736-55; John 
Mauritius Goetschius, 1757-60; 
.A brain Rosekrantz, 1760-5; 
Johannes Schuyler, 1766-79; 
assisted by Rynier Van Nest, 
who was pastor 17S0-5; George 
W. Schneider, 17S5-S; Rev. J. 

C. Boeffel, 17S8-97; Rynier Van 
Nest, 1797-1804; Uavid Devoe, 
1812-15 ; JohnT. Schermerhorn, 
1816-27; John Garretson, 1827- 
33; John B. Steele, 1S34-38; 
Joshua Boyd, 1840-2; L. Mes- 
serreau, 1842-5; Jacob West, 
1846-52; I. M. See, 1852-4; E. 
Vedder, 1855-63 ; Wm. E. Bogar- 
dus, 1863-4; John S. Scott, 

D. D., 1865-70; Sanford W. 
Roe, D. D., 1S71-6; John D. 
Gardner, iS 76-80; Elbert Ne- 
vius Sebring, 18S0-5; David 
Kline Van Doren, 1885-90. 

The Rev. Charles Wads- 
worth Pitcher, a conscientious, 
faithful and progressive cler- 
gyman, a bright pulpit speaker 
and a social pastor, came to 
this church January i, 1881, 
and is still in discharge of his 
duties. He has a large con- 
gregation who give him the 
best support. The Rev. Mr. 
Pitcher commands influence be- 
cause he wields an active hand in other organiza- 
tions. For instance, he is chaplain of the Masonic 
order and in other respects is alive to the public 
interests He was born at Cohoes, March 2, 1849. 
He was educated at New Brunswick, N. J., and 
was ordained at Randolph. N. Y., January 26, 
1876 His pastorates include Randolph, N. Y., 
1876-83; Stanton, N. J., 1883-7; Ringoes, N. J., 
the widely famed Kirkpatrick Memorial church, 
1887-91. The Elders — G. L. Danforth, W. E. 
Bassler, George Zeh, William B. Becker, J. L. 
Engle. The Deacons — C. W. Vroman, William 
Duninore, Charles Straub, Frank A. Wells, Joseph 
Jenks. 



rA^-^iS * 



■v%i-' 




i6 



GRIPS" ILLl'STRATED SOUVENIR. 




TlIK LXIWER Fort, Schoharie, N. Y. and monument 
to Williams one of Andre's captors. 

The County Almshouse occupies a sightly spot 
surrounded l)y tilled land and orchards on the 
slope of the hills to the west of the village. The 
farm producesliberally for the tables of the institu- 
tion, usually with a surplus of fruit for the market. 
The buildings have recently l)een repainted and 
greatly improved by the addition of blinds and 
piazzas. The interior was re-arranged for greater 
comfort and convenience. Pipes were laid from 
the Bellinger springs on the summit of the moun- 
tain, too rods from the house, to which the water 
is conducted with a fall of 292 feet. Hydrants 
have been placed about the grounds and hot and 
cold water taps throughout buihlings, with mod- 
ern flush closets and baths. The total expense 
was $«>. 145. No county in the state can boast of a 
cleaner, more wholesome and better arranged 



Thn Red Men, Oucongeua Tribe, No. 240. was 
chartered June 15. 1S93. and there are now fifty 
members. It meets the tirst and second Thurs- 
day in every month. The officers: R. L». Gordon, 
.Sachem; J. W. Ritchie, Past Sachem; Dow Beek- 
nian. Prophet; C. L. Haines. Senior Sagamore; 
D. U. Frisbie, Junior Sagamore; G. L. Fox, Chief 
of Records; Alonzo Almy. Keeper of Wampum; 

ihn Miller, Collector of Wampum; W. T. Riv- 
<.iil)erg. M D., ist Sanap; J. P. Segner, id Sanap; 
J. T. Kelsey, Guard of the Wigwam; P. Smith, 
I ;i;ard of the Forest. 

A Tribute to a Faithful OflBcer— With the 
lose of the year Hon. Arthur U. Mead who has 
served as clerk for Schoharie county two terms, 
•.ix years, will retire. He has proven highly honor- 
able and faithful in the discharge of his duties. 
! he best men of both parties on Tuesday, Novem- 
L-r 20, iS(j4, met in Schoharie and presented Mr. 
.Mead with a diamond scarf pin. He was compli- 
mented on all sides and in a very appropriate 
maimer he returned thanks. The festivities 
closed with a banquet at the Hotel Schoharie. 




• II \HII W M-.I1 



almshouse. Krwin Spickman and wife have been 
in faithful attendance upon the premises since 
18S7. They have proven competent and have ex- 
ercised every economy for the county as thev 
would have done in their own institution. The 
general supervision of the poor is in good hands. 
Mr. lohn \oung, the countv superintendent Mr 
Spickerman was b<irn in Harperstield. Delaware 
county, Februarv 4. 1854. At twentv-nine years 
of age he married Ada, the daughter of'Hial 
Warner, of Jefferson. They luanagcd a farii: 
until thev were called to take charge of the alm^ 
house. I'here i^ now in the hands of Supervise'' 
Vromai) a resolution to be presented to the l>oai 
providing for making the sui>erintendent of tli' 
p<K>r also the keeper of the almshouse at a salai 
of $*"»• It is said such action will save tlv 
county $500 a year. 



Edward D Hagsr, merchant. 




sui)ervisor and 
postmaster from 
Blenheim was 
born in Middle- 
burgh in 1847. 
He is the demo- 
cratic leader in 
the town. He 
served in the 
state a.ssembly 
in 1SS2, on the 
county commit- 
tee for more than 
twenty years and 
as supervisor for 
several terms. 



Peter H. Smith a large property owner was 
born in Middleburgh, August 28, 1S53. He mar- 
ried Alice P. Bagley of Middleburgh. March 20, 
1S7S. She is a faithful and active memlier of the 
.Methodist church. Mr. Smith is a member of the 
Improved Order of Red Men. He starte<i in 
blacksmithing and wagon making in i$7b and has 
built up a large business. 

M. W Baker, pro])rietor of the Baker House 
wa.s born in the town of Wright. February 24, 
1.S51. He conducted a hotel in that town two 
vears. Eight years ago he look ]y>ssession of the 
liakcr House.' He married Mary C. Shell of 
Wright in August 1872. Mr. Baker has improved 
the location of his house very mucn, and is mak- 
ing the business a success. 



Martin A. Akeley, postiuaster at West Fulton, 

Schoharie Co., is 
serving his sec- 
ond term in that 
position. He was 
first apjHiiutcd 
Kebniary 13, 1885 
by President 

Cleveland. His 
scconil appoint- 
ment was July 
22. \ii)j. He isa 
practical demo- 
crat and a lead- 
er in the local 
party. 




GRIP'S" ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 




c, 



\}9ood, 

Monumental Works. 



IMPORTER, 
MANUFACTURER, 
DEALER IN 

Foreign and Domestic Marble 
and Granite Monuments, Head- 
stones, Statuary. The largest 
stock in Otsego and adjoining 
counties. 
New, Original, Hand-Made Designs. 
Latest Styles, 

Estimates. Work Guaranteed. 

OFFICE AND WORKS 

Decatur St., Worcester, Otsego County, N. Y. 



Our Latest Leader 

FIRST CALL CIGAR 



:man'ufactured by 



HAYES & BOWDISH, Oneonta, N. Y. 



Five Cents. 



SMOKE 



Havana Twisters, 



A clear Havana, hand made. loc. cigar, equal to any impiirted cigar; everybody smokes them. 

Manuf^actured BATES & ZEH, Middleburg, N. Y. 



/ Every cigar alike ; 

Wp»st" FT n H -,' ^'^"^' *° ^" '"" 

' Le 



, The Leader. 

Little Giant- ^'-g^'--^ 



vcader. 



goods; sold every- 
where. 



HUMMELL & CO., Manufacturers, schexevus. otsego Co.. n, v- 

EsiAia.isHED 1S42. 

B. Payn's Son's Tobacco Company, 

.MANUFACTURERS OF 

BP U Margarita, Sereno No. 2, Lena PIPIDO Strawberry, Pure Stock, Seal PUrUUlM P TOD A 000 
. & in., and Spirit of the Times UlUAnO. of Albany and Straight Tip UiILIIIIIII IUDALUU. 

Spanish, Cross Pipe and Catch All Smox ing Tobacco. 

820 and 822 BROADWAY, 

Retail Stoke, cor. Broadway and Maiden- Lane, ------ ALBANY, N. Y. 

Wm. McEwan, Prest. Edward A. Griffin, Vice-Prest. Robert Brvce, Treas. 

SuLu Everywhere. 
Smoked by Everybody. 

"Head Light" Cigar, 

-"«— — FIVE CENTS 

DOYLE & SMITH, Manufacturers, Onfontv \ v 



SMOKE 



mack's 

little giants 



A Pure Havana Fii i.kr Cic;ai; 

For Five Cents. 



DURYEA HARPER, 

Merchant and Produce Buyer 

SHARON SPRINGS, N. Y. 

Top fr ces paid for butter and eggs. 



CRIPS" ADVERTISING OKPARTMENT 



IS 


u 


n 


m 



If yon set 

the best 

Instrument 

Soliciteil 



I) 



11 



: s the Kan 
A'ho sells It 



Jur Biiy piece 
> of Music. 
SlUXKV. N Y. 



GKO. II (ilARI)INi:i:R. 

UCAI.EK IN 

PHUTOGRAPHIC : MATERIALS 

520 Broadway. ALBANY. N Y 

Canieras, Dry Plates, Amateur Outfits. 

AMI A 1 IVK I.ISK Hi 1 III:M1c'AI.^ 



i 



mi r- !i« 



Clinton Liberal Institute. 

OniciallviK-si>;niitt:<l .iSlau- Military School 
I'.'Ki I'; u-.. N Y 



The- Mutual • Fire • Insurance • Association 

OF SCHOHARIE. OTSEGO AND ALBANY COUNTIES. 

Money Saved to Farmers and others insuring in this Company. 

Homo utlicc: Mii>i>i.KiiL'K(iM, N. Y. 

Wcllinttton K. Ka«8lcr. Prfs. Uen. B. Wheely. Sfc'y. .1. L. Enfcle. Treas. 



;r SOUND BANKING INSTITUTIONS 



Canajoharie, N. Y. THC Call QJoha PiC NatlOIial Bank. E»tabUBhed ISOO 

Lilicral in .-ill it< \ i, .i;ia.u. ?i .•-.."»■, i a. i. Hicimiund, /•»,-j. 



A. G. RICHMO.NU. t'ifsi.Uiil 



.i-:>i.iK lii; iMAN 



>1 Al loKI) .Mii>lli;k. Cjskirr 



't'^t ^Ax\\\iX6' arCb QTlcctjanics' ^au6, fort plain, n.y. 



KsT.\m,isiii:i) I-- 



r.i|>it.ii. 



Siirplu-*. *-. 



I'ri.lils, J. . . 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK. Cobleskill, N. Y. ^^-p''"' ^"'SlT.^':'' ''^""''^ 

I" \v.t;;!-> ..iiMiic-s- b.i?n_-.l ■ -ii balances and re-ipon^ibiluy, 
Chas II Sh:ivcr./'/(-j/*l'f«/ H lalor. i ice-i'resijfnt. M C I'-w. Cashier 

Capital paid in» 5150,000. surplus, sto.ooo. 

Kiw^sr x.\ 1 i< >x.\K I ;.\.NK, Co* )j»c i-^t. »\\ II. N. ^^ 

r resident, E, M. II 

AGE IMPROVES IT. I n^ > 

as one '-av> who li.is bcfn a v >'n>tant :■ 

bv vfar ■' 1: -. ,ir';. 1. -. T -.lay c<>vi:r t:.' ; 

entertiiii.: iiaractcr nttt r-iuiiil i, Wcwht-n-. .tnil oi ^" i;rf.ii .i \ .u ;•■'. y i h.it \\\y t. < 'M i- wi* >\ inun -.ts ...ii^^c 

each mt- 

Thv ' vnUinif of 1^ ,: nnnntinrr*! r\r. iin«snn! arrnv nf nttr.T-'irtns; fourteen serial atorie». a wealth 

of . «'S timely e<litorials on all impor- 

\x\ 

1 ■ who Mjnd $1.7"; now will receive 

the- I'.utT K ' '• !•• j.iiin.irv 1, I - , , an ! ■■;i>- ■. f.ir [ ; >.ni ' ,.i: I.i'c i: <-'-a\' -- r. r r . u f«.k Finclv iIUi'*trateil 

"_ ' ' THK VtH'TUS CUMI'.WION. U-'-i n. V^^•' 

A Big Christmas Gift 

"GRIPS' VALLE\ GAZhlTE 

IS THE ONLY MAGAZINE 
Devoted to News. Literary Profluctions, IVrsonal Sketchc--. .imi I'urtraits of Representative Business. 
Professional .inil Soci.il I.t-aders nf tin- Citic--. 'I'ouiis atnl dmnucs .if New Y..rk State. 

It is Published Monthly at Albany, the Capitol of the State. 

Correspondence of Social Events. Business Changes and i . 

Illii-itratcl vyitlt Hi-.iiiiiful Half-'r..iu- l"..vtr,iit.. .mcl S, 

A Special Inducement for Subscribers 

Kvtry IVrs.vii Setnlini; SI 00 i": a year's -tibscription to begin lUinni; iS.)4 nr laimary, I'-'if. 

lia- the choice <<\ 

RAND, McNALLY & CO.S HANDY ATLAS OF THE WORLD (sec de- 

-.(lijiti.m .111 .iiiotlicr |).ii;il. "f .1 yi-.ii's '•uIim riplion to 
THE NEW YORK SEMI-WEEKLY WORLD. 

Address "GRll'S" (iA'/Hri'H, Alb.anv, N. ^. 



'GRIP'S" ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



Champion Butter Group, 



Holstein Friesians, 



D. F. WILBER, Prop., Crumhorn Stock Farms, Milford, N. Y. 

Office, ONEONTA, N. Y. 

The World's C hampion, PAUIilN E PATTIi, 

The Queen, No. 2199, H. H. B., S57, A. R. (ro yrs. old), 31 lbs. i^ ozs. in 7 days; 
128 lbs. 13^ ozs. in 30 days; 1153 lbs. 1534^ ozs. in 365 consecutive days. 

DAILY AVERAGE FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS for the FIVE COW.S and dam and 

sire's dam of bull is 32 lbs. 10 oz. 














•^ 



4 



M 



TE-TTJE JANZ.EN TaCONA 

Nil, 627. Na.SI't?. 

, Pauline Paul Sir Mechthilde.2yrs. 

Nil? ISO. NiiiCi ^e.'). 



PlETERTOE 4rM. 
Nc 1; C^'5 , 
D.E Kol2'DS akdCaif 
Nr 6-3'd'i. 



Individual Register and Records: 

SIR MECHTHILDE, No. !64(,9, II. F. H. B., at 2 yrs. His dam, Tirania, No 6716, H. H. B.. and 
his sire's dam, Mechthilde^their average 7 day's butter record, 3S lbs. 2J^ ozs. 

TACONA, No. 8I.J2, H. H. B., at 8 yrs. Butter record, at 6 yrs., 30 lbs. 2 ozs. in 7 days. 

TETTJE JANZEN, No. 627, D. F. H. B., at 10 yrs. Butter record, at 8 yrs., 30 lbs. 9 ozs. in 7 
days ; 4 lbs. 4 ozs. in i day. 

PIETERTJE 4th, No. 11245, H. F. H. B., 4S1, A. R., at 7 yrs. Butter at 6 yrs.. 26 lbs. 14 ozs. in 7 
days; 104 lbs. 2 ozs. in 30 days; 200 lbs. 9 ozs. in 60 days; 453 lbs. in 150 days. 

Champion 3 yr. Old of the World — DE KOL 2ds, Queen and calf. No. 6324, H. F. H., i B., 662, A. 
R., at 5 yrs. Butter record, at 3 yrs., 28 lbs. 7 ozs. in 7 days; 14.47 lbs. milk to i lb. butter. 



PAULINE PAUL, given above. 
I 



GRIPS" BEST HOTEL GUIDE. 










^^£~d 



The CENTRAL 



(. 1 I. .\K( ;< ).Nl-:« i.M., 1 'r. -1 
1 < )i iti )i 1 1; 1. X. \' 



m «i D«y ClffiKS. 



The Ballard House, 



George J. Vanderwerker, 



CtKiiKksrowN. N. N' 



Proprietor. 



This hotel ranks second to none in 

the interior of the state. Within the past 

two years it has been 



STK.'\M HKAT THKOIU.HOI' T. 



Enlarjrcd and Kcfurnishcd. 



Fitted with sanitary conveniences of the nms; .i|i])ii'Vfl p.iitirn o;i <. vii y tl...- anil imnlcrn forms 
of ventilation for every room. In one year two large annexes were added, ••[.viiinv: ilirectly into the 
main buil<linK. makinj; the whole a large ami complete hotel, as well arraiijjctl as though included in 
the original ]il.in-;. Upper balconies with splendid views of scenery. Baths an'! all accommodations. 




HENRY JOY. Prop. 
Cannjoharie and 

Palatinp Bridire. 
N. Y. 



Finest Hotel 



Central New York 

No better on the line of 
the X. Y. Central. 




■^ 



'i 



Li' 



w 

J? 

If 

m 



